JP2610431B2 - Image processing device - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus provided with a document scanning unit and / or an image generating unit. The document scanning unit optically scans a document to be converted or copied into a transmission signal. The image generating means generates an image on a printing material such as paper in response to a received signal or an optically scanned document.

<Prior Art and Problems> An image processing apparatus such as a copying machine or a facsimile that can also function as a printing machine or a copying machine or a printing machine includes the above-described document scanning unit and / or image generating unit.

As a document scanning means for optically scanning a document, a stationary document placing table type, a movable document placing table type, and a sheet-form document conveying type have been proposed and put to practical use.
In the stationary original mounting table type original scanning means, an original is placed on a transparent plate of the stationary original mounting table, and the original is scanned by moving a movable optical unit along the transparent plate. In the original scanning means of the movable original stage type, the original is placed on the transparent plate of the movable original stage, and the original is scanned by moving the movable original stage across the scanning area where the stationary optical means operates. Is performed.
In the sheet-type document conveying type document scanning means, a sheet-shaped document conveying path extending across a scanning area where the stationary optical means operates is provided, and scanning of the document is performed by conveying the sheet-shaped document. You.

Thus, the sheet-type original conveying type original scanning means automatically and quickly scans a large number of sheet-type originals easily and quickly as compared with the static original placing table type or the movable original placing table type original scanning means. However, it is not possible to scan an original such as a book other than a sheet. On the other hand, the original scanning means of the stationary original mounting table type or the movable original mounting table type can scan not only sheet-shaped originals but also various originals such as books. Because of this, a document scanning unit that functions as a sheet-type document conveying type and also functions as a stationary document mounting table type or a movable document mounting table type is desired.

However, the prior art proposed to satisfy such demands requires (a) two separate optical means which operate independently or a complicated and expensive document table, and (B) If the operation of functioning as a sheet-type document conveying type and the operation of functioning as a stationary document mounting table type or a movable document mounting table type are confused, the operator's hand is There is a problem that the document may be damaged or the document may be damaged.

<Object of the Invention> The present invention has been made in view of the above facts, and has as its object to provide a relatively small and inexpensive document that functions as a sheet-type document transport type and also functions as a movable document mounting table type. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus including a scanning unit.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, which is described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

According to the present invention, there is provided a housing having an upper surface extending substantially in a horizontal direction and having a document insertion port on the upper surface, and a document scanning device provided in the housing. An image processing apparatus comprising: a document scanning unit, a first scanning area, a second scanning area, an image receiving unit, and the first scanning area and the second scanning area being transmitted to the image receiving unit. Optical means for optically connecting to the first
A first document scanning and moving means for moving the document across the scanning area of the first and second document scanning and moving means for moving the document across the second scanning area; The document scanning moving means has a transparent plate for placing a document and a document insertion guide path, is reciprocally mounted across the first scanning area, and inserts the document when positioned at a predetermined position. A guide path including a movable document placing table aligned with the document insertion opening; and a document placing table reciprocating means for reciprocating the movable document placing table; A sheet-shaped document conveying path extending from the document insertion port to the document discharge port across the second scanning area, and a sheet-shaped document conveying means for conveying the sheet-shaped document through the sheet-shaped document conveying path. Including, characterized by Image processing mounted to is provided.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of an image processing apparatus configured according to the present invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a specific example of an image processing apparatus configured according to the present invention, embodied as a facsimile that can also function as a copier. The illustrated image processing apparatus includes a substantially rectangular housing 2. The housing 2 is equipped with a document scanning means generally designated by reference numeral 4 and an image generating means generally designated by reference numeral 6. Further, a control unit 8 for controlling operations of various units of the image processing apparatus and for controlling transmission and reception of image signals when functioning as a facsimile is provided at a lower left portion of the housing 2. (Since the control unit 8 itself does not directly relate to a novel feature of the image processing apparatus configured according to the present invention, a detailed description of the control unit 8 itself will be omitted in this specification. ).

Overall Configuration of Document Scanning Means The document scanning means 4 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. An opening extending in the width direction (ie, the direction perpendicular to the surface in FIG. 1) is formed at a predetermined portion on the upper surface of the housing 2. The scanning area 10 of the body 1 is defined by the opening. A second scanning area 12 defined by a transparent plate (or slit) extending in the width direction is provided on the left side in the housing 2. In the housing 2, a first document irradiating means 14 is provided in relation to the first scanning area 10, and a second document irradiating means 16 is provided in relation to the second scanning area 12. Have been. The first and second document irradiation means 14 and 16 include appropriate lamps such as halogen lamps extending in the width direction.

An image receiving means 18 is provided substantially at the center of the housing 2. The image receiving means 18 can be constituted by a well-known optical reading device which is constituted by arranging a large number of appropriate solid-state imaging devices such as CCDs in the width direction (the image processing apparatus functions as a facsimile). If not necessary, the image receiving means 18 can be constituted by an electrophotographic photosensitive member used in a usual copying machine).
In the housing 2 there are further provided optical means, generally designated by the reference numeral 20. The optical means 20 includes an optical path changing reflection mirror 22, a first stationary reflection mirror 24, a second stationary reflection mirror 26, and a lens assembly 28. The optical path conversion reflecting mirror 22 is selectively positioned at a first position indicated by a solid line and a second position indicated by a two-dot chain line. When the light path conversion reflection mirror 22 is positioned at the first position, the light path conversion reflection mirror 22, the first stationary reflection mirror 24,
The first scanning area 10 is optically connected to the image receiving means 18 via a second reflecting mirror 26 and a lens assembly 28. On the other hand, the second scanning area 12 and the first stationary reflection mirror
The optical path between the second scanning area 12 and the image receiving means 18 is not optically connected to the second scanning area 12 by the optical path conversion reflecting mirror 22. When the optical path conversion reflecting mirror 22 is positioned at the second position, the first scanning area
The optical path changing reflection mirror 22 does not optically connect the first scanning area 10 to the first stationary reflection mirror 24, so that the first scanning area 10 and the image receiving means 18 are not optically connected. On the other hand, the optical path conversion reflecting mirror 22 is located in the second scanning area.
Retreating from the optical path between 12 and the first stationary mirror 24,
Therefore, the second scanning area 12 includes a first stationary reflection mirror 24,
It is optically connected to the image receiving means 18 via a second stationary reflection mirror 26 and a lens assembly 28. The configuration of the optical unit 20, particularly the configuration related to the optical path conversion reflecting mirror 22, will be described later in more detail.

In association with the first scanning area 10, there is provided first document scanning moving means 29 including a movable document table 30 disposed on the upper surface of the housing 2. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 together with FIG. 1, the movable document table 30
Includes a frame 32, a transparent plate 34, and a document cover 36.
As clearly shown in FIG. 3, the frame 32 is
Is formed of a plate-like member extending in a longitudinal direction (a left-right direction in FIG. 1 and a direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 3) along a rear portion of the upper surface of the first embodiment. The transparent plate 34 has a rectangular shape,
Thereafter, the edge is fixed to the frame 32. Original cover
Reference numeral 36 denotes a pivotal axis extending along the rear edge, which is pivotable between a closed position shown by a solid line in FIG. 3 and an open position shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. Frame
It is attached to 32. A rectangular elastic member 40 is fixed to the lower surface of the main part of the document cover 36. The entire movable document table 30 is reciprocally movable across the first scanning area 10, that is, in the longitudinal direction (the third direction in the left-right direction in FIG. 1).
It is mounted on the upper surface of the housing 2 so as to be able to reciprocate in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. More specifically, the third
As clearly shown in the figure, the frame 32 is movably mounted in the longitudinal direction on the top wall of the housing 2 through a sliding means 42 which may be a sliding mechanism commercially available under the trade name "Accuride". Have been. On the other hand, a guide projection 44 extending in the longitudinal direction is integrally formed on the front edge of the upper surface wall of the housing 2, and the front edge of the transparent plate 34 is slidably mounted on the guide projection 44. Supported. Further, the protrusion 44
At the front end (the left end in FIG. 3), a restraining member 46 protruding forward is fixed. The restraining member 46 does not need to extend over the entire length in the left-right direction in FIG. 1 (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 3), but only needs to be present in a part thereof. On the other hand, at the front edge of the transparent plate 34,
A restrained member 48 extending in the longitudinal direction is fixed. A restrained member 48, which can be formed from an iron plate aluminum plate or a synthetic resin plate, projects forward from the transparent plate 34, and has a substantially L-shaped hanging portion integrally formed at the front end.
The horizontal free end of the hanging portion of the restrained member 48 faces the lower surface of the free end of the restraining member 46 and is located below the free end. The restraining member 46 and the restrained member 48 cooperate with each other, so that the movable platen 30 moves in the longitudinal direction when the movable platen 30 moves in the longitudinal direction.
Prevents the leading edge of 34 from displacing upwards. Guide protrusion
It is preferable that a low friction member such as a resin tape having a low friction coefficient is adhered to the upper surface of the 44 and the lower surface of the free end of the restraining member 46. An example of the resin tape is a resin tape sold by Toyo Bearing Co., Ltd. under the trade name "Lulon".

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the document cover 36 of the movable document table 30 has a box-like projection 52 integrally formed at its left end and front end and at its left end and rear end.
And 54. The left side surface 56 of the document cover 36 is inclined rightward upward from the lower end between the projecting portions 52 and 54. The inclination angle of the left side surface 56 may be about 25 to 35 degrees. On the left side surface 56, a pair of width regulating members 58 and 60 are mounted so as to be movable in the width direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 1). Each of the width regulating members 58 and 60 has regulating wall portions 62 and 64 which stand upright from the left side surface 56. Width regulating members 58 and 60
Is a well-known interlocking mechanism which can be constituted by racks provided respectively and pinion gears interposed between these racks (the interlocking mechanism is arranged below the document cover 36 and is not shown). ) And are advantageously moved simultaneously in a direction approaching and away from each other. The left side surface 56 and the pair of width direction regulating members 58 and 60 function as a document insertion guide path for a sheet-shaped document conveyed through the second scanning area 12, as will be apparent from the following description. The document cover 36 is further fixed with a sheet-shaped document support plate 66 having an upper surface that extends upward and inclines rightward following the left side surface 56.

The movable document table 30 as described above is connected to a document table reciprocating means 68 (FIG. 1), which may be an electric motor, via a suitable transmission mechanism (not shown). Will be moved as required.

On the other hand, in association with the second scanning area 12, the housing 2 is provided with a second original scanning moving means 70. The second original scanning moving means 70 is moved across the second scanning area 12 from an original insertion port 72 formed on the left side of the upper surface wall of the housing 2 so as to be adjacent to the first scanning area 10. And a document discharge port 74 formed on the left side wall of the housing 2.
It includes a sheet-shaped document conveying path 76 extending to the sheet-shaped document conveying path 76 and sheet-shaped document conveying means for conveying the sheet-shaped document through the sheet-shaped document conveying path 76. As clearly shown in FIG. 2, the document insertion port 72 and the document discharge port 74
It has an elongated shape extending in the width direction. The sheet-shaped document conveyance path 76 from the document insertion port 72 to the document discharge port 74 is
And 80 and outer guide plates 84, 86 and 88. The transparent plate defining the second scanning area 12 is fixed to an opening formed in the inner guide plate 78. The sheet-shaped original conveying means includes driven rollers 90, 92, 94, 96 and 98 and driven rollers 100, 102 and 104 cooperating with the driven rollers 94, 96 and 98. Further, the introduction member 106 cooperating with the driven roller 90 and the driven roller 92
A separation member 108 is provided which cooperates with. An introduction member 106 made of a flexible material such as a resin film commercially available under the trade name "Lumirror" has its free end pressed against the driven roller 90. The separating member 108 formed of a synthetic rubber or the like having a high friction coefficient,
Its working surface is brought into contact with the driven roller 92. On the left side wall of the housing 2, a sheet-shaped document tray 110 that is inclined slightly upward and extends to the left from below the document discharge port 74 is detachably mounted. Further, a detector 112 for detecting the insertion of a sheet-shaped document into the sheet-shaped document conveyance path 76, in relation to the upstream end and the downstream end of the sheet-shaped document conveyance path 76, respectively, A detector 113 for detecting discharge of a sheet-shaped document from the document conveying path 76 is provided. The detectors 112 and 113 may be, for example, micro switches having a detection arm protruding into the sheet-shaped document conveyance path 76.

The operation and effect of the document scanning unit 4 as described above will be briefly described as follows.

If the original to be scanned is one or a large number of sheet-like originals, the second original scanning moving means 70 can be used. In this case, the selection switch SS1 provided on the scanning panel 114 (FIG. 2) disposed at the front of the upper surface of the housing 2 is operated. Thus, the movable document table 30 is positioned at the rest position shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. When the movable document table 30 is positioned at the rest position, as shown in FIG. 2, the document insertion port 72 of the sheet-shaped document conveyance path 76 is moved to the movable document table 30.
It is exposed without being covered by. In addition, the left side 56 (document insertion guide path) of the document cover 36 of the movable document table 30 is aligned with the document insertion slot 72 as required. Match or close to the edge. Further, when the selection switch SS1 is operated, the optical path changing reflection mirror 22 of the optical means 20 is positioned at the second position shown by a solid line in FIG. 4 (shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1).

Next, the width direction interval between the pair of width regulating members 58 and 60 provided on the left side surface 56 is set to correspond to the width of the document to be scanned. Then, the original to be scanned is placed on the left side surface 56 and the sheet-like original support plate 66 between the pair of width regulating members 58 and 60 with the surface thereof facing downward, as shown in FIG. Then, the leading end of the document is inserted into the sheet-shaped document conveyance path 76 to a required position (upstream position between the driven roller 92 and the separating member 108) through the document insertion port 72.
Thereafter, the scanning movement start switch MS provided on the operation panel 114 (FIG. 2) is operated. Thus, the driven rollers 90, 92, 94, 96 and 98 are driven as required,
Sheet-shaped original transport path for each original one by one from the bottom
The document is conveyed through 76 and discharged from the document discharge port 74 onto the tray 110. The separating member 108 prevents two or more documents from being conveyed at a time, as is well known to those skilled in the art.
While the document is being conveyed through the sheet-shaped document conveyance path 76, in the second scanning area 12, the second document irradiating means 16 irradiates the surface of the document, and the reflected light from the surface of the document becomes the first stationary light. The light is projected onto the image receiving means 18 via the reflection mirror 24, the second stationary reflection mirror 26, and the lens assembly 28. The image receiving means 18
An electric signal is generated according to the projected light. The electric signal is transmitted to a destination when the image processing apparatus is used as a facsimile, and is transmitted to a destination when the image processing apparatus is used as a copying machine. Print head).

When the document to be scanned is a book other than a sheet, the second document scanning and moving means 70 cannot be used, but the first document scanning and moving means 29 It can be used not only in the case of a book but also in the case of a book. When using the first document scanning moving means 29, the selection switch SS2 provided on the operation panel 114 (FIG. 2) is operated. Thus, the movable document table 30 is positioned at the scanning movement start position shown in FIG. Further, the optical path conversion reflection mirror 22 of the optical means 20 is positioned at the first position shown by a solid line in FIG. When the movable document table 30 is positioned at the scanning movement start position, the document insertion port 72 formed in the upper wall of the housing 2 is covered by the movable document table 30. Next, the original cover 36 is turned to the open position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. Then, the transparent plate 34 and the original placed thereon are covered with the original cover 36. Thereafter, the scanning movement start switch MS is operated. Thus, the movable document table 30 first
In the figure, it is moved forward to the required position, and then it is moved rightward in FIG. 1 to the scanning movement start position. While the movable document table 30 is moved forward,
In the first scanning area 10, the first document irradiating means 14 irradiates the surface of the document on the transparent plate 34, and the reflected light from the surface of the document is reflected by the optical path changing reflection mirror 22, the first stationary reflection mirror. Two
4. The light is projected onto the image receiving means 18 via the second stationary reflection mirror 26 and the lens assembly 28. Then, the image receiving means 18 generates an electric signal according to the projected light.

Modification I Related to Movable Document Placement Table FIGS. 5 to 9 show modifications related to the movable document placement table.

With reference to FIG. 5 and FIG.
The movable document table indicated by 230 includes a frame 232, a transparent plate 234, and a document cover 236. The frame 232 is a housing 2
In addition to a plate-like portion (see also FIG. 3) extending in the longitudinal direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 5) along the rear portion of the upper surface of
0 has a sheet-shaped document insertion guide 240 extending in the width direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 5). At the front end and the rear end of the insertion guide 240, a box-shaped projection 242 and
244 are formed. Then, the box-shaped protrusions 242 and 244
Between them, the insertion guide 240 has an elongated insertion opening 246 extending in the width direction. An inclined wall 248 is formed to extend rightward upward from the right edge of the insertion opening 246. The inclination angle of the inclined wall 248 is 25 to 3
It may be about 5 degrees. As shown in FIG.
On the left side of 46, it is inclined rightward upward from the left edge of the insertion opening 246 and extends substantially parallel to the inclined wall 248,
A wall 250 is then formed which extends substantially vertically upward. On the inclined wall 248, a pair of width regulating members 258 and 260 corresponding to the pair of width regulating members 58 and 60 of the movable document table 30 shown in FIG. I have. The insertion opening 246, the inclined wall 248, and the pair of width regulating members 258 and 260 function as a document insertion guide path.

Further, between the box-shaped projections 242 and 244, the operation positions shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and shown by solid lines in FIG. 9 and the operation positions shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 and FIG. A sheet-shaped document support plate 266 is mounted so as to be pivotable between a non-operating position shown by a two-dot chain line. As can be understood by referring to FIGS. 6 and 9, upright pieces 268 are provided on both side edges of the leading end (that is, the left end) of the sheet-shaped original document supporting plate 266.
And 270 are integrally formed, and the upright pieces 268 and
By mounting the short axis formed on the outer surface of 270 on the upright inner side wall of the box-shaped projections 242 and 244 so as to be pivotable, the sheet-shaped document support plate 266 is attached to the box-shaped projections 242 and 24.
Attached between 4 As is clearly shown in FIG. 9, a downwardly extending piece 272 extending downward is formed at the leading end (left end) of the sheet-shaped document support plate 266, while the inclined wall 248 is formed on the sheet-shaped document insertion guide 240. A contact wall 274 is formed to extend downwardly from the upper end (right end) of the right side toward the right side. Then, when the sheet-shaped document supporting plate 266 is moved to the above-mentioned operation position, the hanging piece 272 comes into contact with the contact wall 274, whereby the sheet-shaped document supporting plate 266 further turns clockwise in FIG. Is prevented, and the sheet-shaped original document supporting plate 266 is maintained at the above-mentioned operation position. When the sheet-shaped document supporting plate 266 is located at the above-mentioned operation position, as can be understood from FIGS. 5 and 6, the upper surface of the sheet-shaped document supporting plate 266 follows the upper surface of the inclined wall 248 and rises upward. Extend to the right towards On the other hand, the sheet-shaped original support plate 26
6 is moved to the non-operation position, the upright pieces 268 and 270 of the sheet-shaped document support plate 266 abut against the upper surface of the left side of the sheet document insertion guide 240, whereby the sheet-shaped document support plate 266 is moved to the ninth position. In the figure, further turning in the counterclockwise direction is prevented, and the sheet-shaped original document supporting plate 266 is maintained at the non-operating position. When the sheet-shaped document supporting plate 266 is positioned at the non-operation position, the insertion opening is easily understood by referring to FIGS. 7 and 8.
The document insertion guide path defined by the 246, the inclined wall 248 and the pair of width regulating members 258 and 260
Covered by 6.

Referring to FIG. 9, a lever member 278 is rotatably mounted in the box-shaped protrusion 244 by a pin 276. One end (upper end) 280 of this lever member 278
Extends forward in the width direction and projects forward through an opening formed in the upright inner side wall of the box-shaped projection 244 as shown in FIG. A tension spring 282 is stretched between the lever member 278 and the upper wall of the box-shaped protrusion 244. The tension spring 282 elastically biases the lever member 278 counterclockwise to hold the lever member 278 at a position indicated by a solid line. On the other hand, an opening 284 is formed in the upper surface wall of the housing 2, and a detector 286 which may be a micro switch is provided in the housing 2 corresponding to the opening 284. When the sheet-shaped document supporting plate 266 is maintained at the above-mentioned operation position, the lever member 278 is held at the position shown by the solid line by the elastic biasing action of the tension spring 282. Then, in such a state, the other end (lower end) 289 of the lever member 278 enters the above-mentioned opening 284, and the detector 286 is closed. On the other hand, when the sheet-shaped document supporting plate 266 is moved to the non-operation position indicated by the two-dot chain line, the upright piece 270 of the sheet-shaped document supporting plate 266 is
The lever member 278 is pivoted clockwise to a position shown by a two-dot chain line against the elastic biasing action of the tension spring 282. Then, the lever member 278
Of the other end 289 is retracted upward from the opening 284, and the detector 286 is opened. Then, when the detector 286 is opened, the movement of the movable document table 230 is allowed. In other words, when the detector 286 is closed, the movement of the movable document table 230 is electrically prevented.

Referring to FIG. 8, a rectangular document cover 23 will be described.
Numeral 6 is disposed in a region on the right side of the insertion guide portion 240, and is freely pivotable between a closed position indicated by a solid line and an open position indicated by a two-dot chain line around a pivot axis extending along a rear edge thereof. In addition, it is mounted on the plate-like portion of the frame 232 via appropriate device means. A rectangular elastic member 288 is fixed to the lower surface of the document cover 236. As will be understood by referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 together with FIGS. 7 and 8, when the sheet-shaped document supporting plate 266 is located at the non-operation position, the sheet-shaped document supporting plate 266 The original cover 236 can be freely opened and closed without interference from the original. However, when the original sheet support plate 266 is positioned at the above-described operation position, the original document support plate 266 closes the original cover 236 in the closed position. From turning to the open position.

The transparent plate 234 having a rectangular shape has a rear edge fixed to the plate-like portion of the frame 232, similarly to the transparent plate 34 of the movable document table 30 shown in FIGS. The entire movable document table 230 is mounted on the top wall of the housing 2 in the left-right direction in FIGS. 5 and 6 in substantially the same manner as the movable document table 30 shown in FIGS. It is movably mounted, and is moved as required by the document table reciprocating means 68 (FIG. 1).

In the document scanning means 4 having the movable document placing table 230 as described above, when the second document scanning moving means 70 is used, the movable document placing table 230 is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The stop position (the stop position coincides with the scanning movement start position). In such a state, as understood by referring to FIG. 5, the insertion opening 246 formed in the insertion guide portion 240 is
Document insertion slot 72 formed in the upper wall of housing 2
(See also FIG. 2) as required. Then, the sheet-shaped document support plate 266 is positioned at the operation position shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Accordingly, the detector 286 (FIG. 9) is closed, making it impossible to move the movable document table 230 by the document table reciprocating means 68 (FIG. 1). Therefore, by moving the document table 230 with the operator's hand inserted into the document insertion port 72 formed in the housing 2 through the insertion opening 246 provided in the insertion guide portion 240, Injury of the hand is reliably prevented. Also, insert a sheet-shaped document as shown below.
By moving the movable document mounting table 230 in a state of being inserted through the document insertion port 72 and the document insertion slot 72, it is possible to reliably prevent the sheet-shaped document from being damaged.

Next, the movable document table shown in FIGS. 1 to 4
As in the case of 30, the widthwise interval between the pair of width regulating members 258 and 260 is set to correspond to the width of the sheet-shaped document to be scanned. Then, the document to be scanned is placed on the inclined wall 248 and the sheet-like document support plate 266 between the pair of width regulating members 258 and 260 with the surface thereof facing down, and the fifth
As shown in the drawing, the leading end of the document is inserted into the sheet-shaped document conveyance path 76 to a required position (upstream position between the driven roller 92 and the separating member 108) through the insertion opening 246 and the document insertion port 72. Thereafter, the operation panel 114 (FIG. 6)
By operating the scanning movement start switch MS provided in the printer, the conveyance of the document is started.

When the first original scanning moving means 29 is used, the sheet original supporting plate 266 is positioned at the non-operation position shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Then, the insertion opening 24
6. The document insertion guide path defined by the inclined wall 248 and the pair of width regulating members 258 and 260 is covered by the sheet-shaped document support plate 266, thereby preventing a document or hand from being accidentally inserted into the document insertion guide path. Is done. And also the detector
286 (FIG. 9) is released, so that the movable document table 230 can be moved.

Next, the document cover 236 is turned to the open position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 8, and the document is placed at a predetermined position on the transparent plate 234 with its surface facing downward. At this time, if the sheet-shaped document supporting plate 266 is positioned at the operating position without being set at the non-operating position, the sheet-shaped document supporting plate 266 interferes with the opening movement of the document cover 236. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the document cover 236 from being opened by forgetting to set the sheet-shaped document support plate 266 to the non-operating position. Thereafter, the scanning movement start switch MS is operated. So,
The movable document table 230 is moved forward, for example, to a position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 7, and then moved back to a position indicated by a solid line in FIG.

Modification Example II Related to Movable Document Placement Table FIGS. 10 to 12 show another modification example relating to the movable document placement table. This modification is shown in FIGS.
The above-described specific example shown in the drawing is changed or modified as follows.

10 to 12, particularly with reference to FIG. 11, in the movable document table generally denoted by reference numeral 330,
Box-shaped protrusions 352 and 354 formed on the document cover 336
In between, a sheet-shaped document supporting plate 366 is mounted so as to be pivotable between an operation position shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 and a non-operation position shown in FIG. More specifically, upright pieces 368 and 370 are integrally formed on both side edges of the sheet-like document support plate 366, and a short axis 372 (the upright piece 368 in FIG. 11) is formed on the outer surface of the upright pieces 368 and 370. (Only the short axis 372 formed in FIG. 2 is illustrated). Then, the short shaft 372 is rotatably mounted on the upright inner side walls of the box-shaped protrusions 352 and 354, whereby the box-shaped protrusions 352 and 3
A sheet-shaped document support plate 366 is mounted between the 54. The sheet-shaped original document supporting plate 366 itself is extended to a leading edge which abuts on the upper surface wall of the housing 2 in a state where the sheet-like original document supporting plate 366 is located at the operation position shown in FIGS.
Then, on the leading end extension 374 of the sheet-shaped document support plate 366,
A pair of width regulating members 358 and 360 corresponding to the pair of width regulating members 58 and 60 on the movable document table 30 shown in FIG.
Are mounted movably in the width direction. Therefore, the tenth
In the modifications shown in FIGS. 12 to 12, the upper surface of the leading end extension 374 of the sheet-shaped original document supporting plate 366 itself and the pair of width regulating members 358 and 360 define an original insertion guide path. A magnetic member 367 such as an iron plate is embedded on the lower surface of the leading end extension of the sheet-shaped original support plate 366, while a permanent magnet 369 is embedded in a corresponding portion of the movable original cover 336. When the sheet-shaped document supporting plate 366 is moved to the operation position shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the magnetic member 36
7 is brought into contact with and attracted to the permanent magnet 369, thereby preventing the sheet-shaped document support plate 366 from rotating further counterclockwise in FIG. 10, and the sheet-shaped document support plate 366 is held in the above-described operation position. . The sheet-shaped document support plate 366 is the first
When the sheet-like document supporting plate 366 is moved to the non-operating position shown in FIG. Is prevented, and the sheet-shaped original document supporting plate 336 is held at the non-operating position.

On the other hand, an appropriate mounting means is provided below the upper surface wall of the housing 2 so as to be substantially horizontally movable between an open position shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 and a closed position shown in FIG. The opening / closing member 376 is mounted. As clearly shown in FIG. 11, the opening / closing member 376 is a plate in which a rectangular notch 378 having a shape corresponding to the shape of the document insertion slot 72 formed in the upper wall of the housing 2 is formed in the right half. It is composed of a shaped member. When the opening / closing member 376 is located at the open position, the notch 378 is positioned so that the document insertion port 72 is aligned, so that the document insertion port 72 is opened without being closed. On the other hand, when the opening / closing member 376 is positioned at the closed position, the left half of the opening / closing member 376 is positioned at the original insertion slot 72.
And the document insertion slot 72 is closed. Opening / closing member 37
6 are formed at both side edges thereof with hanging pieces 380, and each of the hanging pieces 380 is connected to one end of a tension spring 382 having the other end fixed to an appropriate part in the housing 2 (the first piece). 1
Only one of the hanging piece 380 and the extension spring 382 is shown in FIG. 1). The tension spring 382 elastically biases the opening / closing member 376 to the closed position.

Continuing the description with reference to FIG. 11, the entirety between the sheet-shaped document support plate 366 and the opening / closing member 376 is designated by reference numeral 31.
Interlocking means indicated by 0 is provided. The sheet-shaped document support plate 366 has an arc-shaped piece 312 extending in an arc shape from the front edge of the leading end.
Are formed integrally, and an input rack 314 is engraved on the outer peripheral surface of the arc-shaped piece 312. On the other hand, an output rack 316 is engraved on the right half front edge of the opening / closing member 376.
In addition, gears 318, 320 and 322 are rotatably mounted in the housing 2. The gear 318 and the gear 320 rotate integrally, and the gear 320 is engaged with the gear 322, and the gear 32
2 is engaged with the output rack 316. As can be understood by comparing FIG. 12, FIG. 10, and FIG. 11, the sheet-like document supporting plate 366 is moved from the non-operation position shown in FIG. 12 to the operation shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. When the input rack 314 is turned to the position, the input rack 314 is engaged with the gear 318 to rotate the gear 318 in the latter half of the turning motion, and thus, the turning motion of the sheet-shaped document support plate 366 causes the input rack 31 to rotate.
4, transmitted to the opening / closing member 376 via the gears 318, 320 and 322 and the output rack 316, and the opening / closing member 376 is moved from the closed position to the open position. Sheet-shaped document support plate 366
Is pivoted from the operation position to the non-operation position, the input rack 31 is moved in the first half of the pivoting movement.
4 is engaged with the gear 318, the sheet-shaped document support plate 36
6 is transmitted to the opening / closing member 376 via the input rack 314, the gears 318, 320 and 322, and the output rack 316, and the opening / closing member 376 is moved from the open position to the closed position.

As clearly shown in FIG. 11, a detector 386, which may be a microswitch, is also provided in the housing 2. When the sheet-shaped document support plate 366 is located at the non-operation position, the detector 386 is open, but when the sheet-shaped document support plate 366 is moved to the operation position,
The arc-shaped piece 312 formed on the sheet-shaped document support plate 366
Act on the detector 386 to close it. When the detector 386 is open, the movement of the movable document table 330 is permitted, but when the detector 386 is closed, the movement of the movable document table 330 is electrically prevented.

In the document scanning means 4 having the movable document placing table 330 as described above, when the second document scanning moving means 70 is used, the movable document placing table 330 is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. The stop position (the stop position coincides with the scanning movement start position). Then, the sheet-shaped original document supporting plate 366 is positioned at the operation position shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. In such a state, the sheet-shaped document support plate 366 extends upward and inclining rightward from the tip located at or near the right edge of the document insertion slot 72 formed in the upper wall of the housing 2. The inclination angle of the upper surface of the sheet-shaped document support plate 366 may be about 25 to 35 degrees. When the sheet-like document supporting plate 366 is positioned at the above-mentioned operation position, the detector 386 is closed, and therefore, the movable document placing table is reciprocated by the document table reciprocating means 68 (FIG. 1).
It makes it impossible to move 330. Therefore, by moving the document table 330 with the operator's hand inserted into the document insertion slot 72, it is possible to reliably prevent the operator's hand from being damaged. Further, by moving the movable document table 330 with the sheet document inserted through the document insertion slot 72 as described below, it is possible to reliably prevent the sheet document from being damaged.

Next, the movable document table shown in FIGS. 1 to 4
As in the case of 30, the width direction interval between the pair of width regulating members 358 and 360 is set to correspond to the width of the sheet-shaped document to be scanned. Then, the document to be scanned is placed on the sheet-like document support plate 366 between the pair of width regulating members 358 and 360 with the front surface thereof facing down, and the leading end of the document is moved to a desired position through the document insertion port 72. (The driven roller 92 and the separating member 108
(The upstream position). Thereafter, the scanning movement start switch MS provided on the operation panel 114 (FIG. 11) is operated to start the conveyance of the document.

When the first document scanning moving means 29 is used, the sheet-shaped document support plate 366 is set to the non-operating position shown in FIG. Thus, the opening / closing member 376 is moved to the closed position, and the document insertion slot 72 is closed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a manuscript or a hand from being inserted into the manuscript insertion slot 72 by mistake. In addition, the detector 386 is opened, so that the movable document table 330 is allowed to move.

Next, the manuscript cover 336 is opened, the manuscript is placed at a predetermined position on the transparent plate 334 with its surface facing down, and the manuscript cover 336 is returned to the closed position again. Thereafter, the scanning movement start switch MS is scanned. Thus, the movable document table 330 is moved leftward in FIG. 12 to a required position and then moved back to the position shown in FIG.

Modification Example III Related to Movable Document Placement Table FIGS. 13 to 16 and FIGS. 17-A and 17-B show still another modification example relating to the movable document placement table. This modification is modified or modified as described below with respect to the above-described specific examples shown in FIGS.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show the movable document table 430 itself.
As clearly shown in the figure, the inclined left side surface 456 existing between the box-shaped protrusions 452 and 454 formed on the document cover 436.
Is not flush with the inclined upper surface of the sheet-shaped original document supporting plate 466 fixed to the rear side (right side), but is displaced downward by a predetermined amount with respect to the inclined upper surface of the sheet-shaped original document supporting plate 466. Therefore, a step 468 exists between the inclined upper surface of the sheet-shaped document supporting plate 466 and the inclined left side surface 456.

On the other hand, as clearly shown in FIGS. 14 and 16, a relatively large rectangular opening 411 is formed on the left side of the upper wall of the housing 2. Further, a plate-like body 413 located below the upper surface wall of the housing 2 by a predetermined amount is projected rightward from the left side wall of the housing 2.
The plate-shaped member 413 can be formed integrally with the left side wall of the housing 2 or can be formed separately and fixed at a predetermined position. The free edge, that is, the right edge of the plate-like body 413 is located a predetermined distance to the left of the right edge of the opening 411, and
The right side of 411 is opened without being closed by the plate-shaped body 413, and the opening defines the document insertion port 472. A sheet-shaped document guide 415 is mounted on the upper surface of the housing 2 so as to be movable between an operation position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 16 and a non-operation position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG.
The sheet-shaped document guide 415 may be in the form of a thin hollow box. With reference to FIG. 16, the manner of mounting the sheet-shaped document guide 415 will be described. Short axes 417 protruding inward are formed at the front and rear portions of the housing 2, respectively. An elongated slot 419 is formed on each of the front and rear walls, and the short axis 417 is a slot.
The sheet-shaped document guide 415 is mounted on the short shaft 417 by being accommodated in the 419. Also, a sheet-shaped document guide 415
A projection 421 is formed on each of the front side wall and the rear side wall, and spring means 423, which may be a tension coil spring, is stretched between each of the projections 421 and each of the short shafts 417. As clearly illustrated in FIGS. 17-A and 17-B,
One end surface 425 of the sheet-shaped document guide 415 is formed in an arc shape. Correspondingly, the front and rear upright boards provided in the housing 2 have arc portions 42.
9, a receiving portion 43 having a straight portion 431, a straight portion 433, and an arc portion 435.
7 are formed. The receiving portion 437 functions as a lock unit that releasably locks the sheet-shaped document guide 415 at the working position and the non-working position. When the sheet-shaped document guide 415 is positioned at the above-described operation position, the seventeenth
As shown in FIG. A, an arc-shaped one end surface 425 of the sheet-shaped document guide 415 is received in the arc portion 429 of the receiving portion 437,
Following the one end surface 425, the flat surface 439 is a straight portion 431 of the receiving portion 437.
Abut. Since the flat surface 439 and the linear portion 431 exist below the short axis 417, the sheet-shaped document guide 415 is centered on the short axis 417 by the contact between the flat surface 439 and the linear portion 431 in FIG. 17-A. Is prevented from turning counterclockwise. On the other hand, the clockwise rotation of the sheet-shaped document guide 415 is prevented by coming into contact with the inclined left side surface 456 of the document cover 436 as understood from FIG. Thus, the sheet-shaped document guide 415 is locked at the above operation position. In order to move the sheet-shaped original guide 415 from the above-mentioned operation position to the above-mentioned non-operation position, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 17-A, the sheet-like original guide is opposed to the elastic biasing action of the spring means 423. By moving 415 upward and to the right, the flat surface 439 may be released from the linear portion 431, and then turned counterclockwise. As shown in FIG. 17-B, when the sheet-shaped document guide 415 is moved to the non-operating position, the sheet-shaped document guide 415 is forced rightward by the elastic biasing action of the spring means 423, and its circular arc shape is formed. One end surface 425 is received by the arc portion 435 of the receiving portion 437, and the flat surface 441 following the one end surface 425 comes into contact with the linear portion 433 of the receiving portion 437. Since the flat surface 441 and the linear portion 433 exist on the right side of the short axis 417, the sheet-shaped document guide 415 is moved around the short axis 417 by the contact between the flat surface 441 and the linear portion 433.
Turning in the clockwise direction in FIG.
On the other hand, the turning of the sheet-shaped document guide 415 in the counterclockwise direction is prevented by coming into contact with the plate-shaped body 413 as understood from FIG. Thus, the sheet-shaped document guide 415 is locked at the non-operation position. In order to move the sheet-shaped document guide 415 from the non-operation position to the operation position, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 17-B, the sheet-form document guide is opposed to the elastic biasing action of the spring means 423. Four
15 may be moved to the left, whereby the flat surface 441 may be released from the direct portion 433, and then turned clockwise.

As can be understood by referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, which show a state in which the sheet-shaped document guide 415 is positioned at the operation position, when the sheet-shaped document guide 415 is positioned at the operation position. The upper surface thereof is substantially flush with the inclined upper surface of the sheet-shaped original document supporting plate 466 located behind (to the right of) the upper surface. Then, as shown in FIG. 14, a pair of width regulating members 58 on the movable document table 30 shown in FIG.
A pair of width regulating members 458 and 460 corresponding to 60 are mounted movably in the width direction. In such a modification, the sheet-shaped document guide 415 positioned at the action position
And a pair of width regulating members 458 and 460 define an original insertion guide path.

On the other hand, as can be understood by referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, when the sheet-shaped document guide 415 is moved to the non-operating position, the document insertion opening 472 existing in the upper surface wall of the housing 2 is moved to the sheet-shaped document guide. It is covered by the guide 415. Also, since the sheet-shaped document guide 415 does not protrude upward beyond the upper wall of the housing 2, the movable document table
430 can reciprocate left and right in FIG. 15 without being interfered by the sheet-shaped document guide 415.

As clearly shown in FIG. 14 and FIG.
Reference numeral 413 denotes a detector 486, which may be a reed switch, is embedded.
88 are buried. The detector 486 is open when the sheet-shaped document guide 415 is at the above-mentioned operation position, but when the sheet-like document guide 415 is moved to the above-mentioned non-operation position, the detector 486 is closed by the actuator 488. You. Detector
When the 486 is open, the movement of the movable document table 430 is electrically prevented, and when the detector 486 is closed, the movement of the movable document table 430 is allowed.

In the document scanning means 4 having the movable document placing table 430 as described above, when the second document scanning moving means 70 is used, the movable document placing table 430 is shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. The stop position (the stop position coincides with the scanning movement start position). Then, the sheet-shaped original guide 415 is positioned at the operation position shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. In this state, the upper surface of the sheet-shaped document guide 415 and the upper surface of the sheet-shaped document support plate 466 which are substantially coplanar with the right edge of the document insertion slot 472 formed in the upper wall of the housing 2. It extends inclining rightward from the tip located close to the top. The inclination sensitivity of the upper surface of the sheet-shaped document guide 415 and the upper surface of the sheet-shaped document support plate 466 may be about 25 to 35 degrees. When the sheet-shaped document guide 415 is positioned at the above-mentioned operation position, the detector 486 is opened, and therefore, it is impossible to move the movable document table 430 by the document table reciprocating means 68 (FIG. 1). It is. Therefore, by moving the document table 430 with the operator's hand inserted into the document insertion slot 472, it is possible to reliably prevent the operator's hand from being damaged. Further, by moving the movable document table 430 with the sheet document inserted through the document insertion opening 472 as described below, it is possible to reliably prevent the sheet document from being damaged.

Next, the movable document table shown in FIGS. 1 to 4
As in the case of 30, the width direction interval between the pair of width regulating members 458 and 460 is set to correspond to the width of the sheet-shaped document to be scanned. Then, the original to be scanned is written on the sheet original guide 415 and the sheet-like original support plate 466 between the pair of width regulating members 458 and 460, with the surface thereof facing down,
As shown in FIG. 13, the leading end of the document is inserted into the sheet-shaped document conveyance path 76 to a required position (upstream position between the driven roller 92 and the separating member 108) through the document insertion port 472.
Thereafter, the scanning operation start switch MS provided on the operation panel 114 (FIG. 14) is operated to start conveying the document.

When the first document scanning and moving means 29 is used, the sheet-shaped document guide 415 is moved to the non-operation position shown in FIG. Then, the document insertion slot 472 is inserted into the sheet-shaped document guide 4.
Covered by 15. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a document or a hand from being inserted into the document insertion slot 472 by mistake. Further, the detector 486 is closed, so that the movable document table 430 is allowed to move.

Next, the original cover 436 is opened, the original is placed at a predetermined position on the transparent plate 434 with its surface facing down, and the original cover 436 is returned to the closed position again. At this time, if the sheet-shaped document guide 415 is positioned at the operation position without being set at the non-operation position, the sheet-shaped document guide 415 interferes with the opening movement of the document cover 436. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the document cover 436 from being opened by forgetting to set the sheet-shaped document guide 415 to the non-operating position. Thereafter, the scanning movement start switch MS is operated. Thus, the movable document table 430 is moved leftward in FIG. 15 to a required position, and then moved back to the position shown in FIG.

Opening of Sheet-shaped Document Conveying Path The sheet-shaped document conveying path 76 of the document scanning means 4 described with reference to FIG. 1 is configured to be freely opened as required. Referring to FIGS. 18 to 20, the housing 2 includes a movable frame 502. As shown in FIG. 18, the housing 2 has a front upright substrate 504 and a rear upright substrate 506 arranged at predetermined intervals in the front-rear direction. The upper half of the left edge of each of the substrates 504 and 506 has a shape substantially corresponding to the sheet-shaped document conveyance path 76. Support protrusions 508 are formed on the left edges of the substrates 504 and 506.
FIG. 20 to FIG. 20 show the supporting protrusions 5 formed on the substrate 504.
08 only). Then, the movable frame 502
Is rotatably mounted between the support projections 508 by a support shaft 510. As will be described in more detail later, the movable frame 502
Can be pivoted from the closed position shown in FIG. 19 to the open position shown in phantom lines in FIGS. 18 and 20 through the half-open position actually shown in FIGS. 18 and 20. As can be understood from FIG. 18, the movable frame body 502 has an upper wall 512, a left side wall 514, a front wall 516, and a rear wall 518. When the movable frame 502 is moved to the closed position shown in FIG. 19, the upper wall 512 of the movable frame 502 defines the left side of the upper surface of the housing 2, and the free edge (right edge) of the upper wall 512 is The left edge of the document insertion slot 72 is defined. The left side wall 514 of the movable frame 502 defines the upper half of the left side surface of the housing 2, and the free edge (lower edge) of the left side wall 514 defines the upper edge of the document discharge port 74. Front wall 516 and rear wall of movable frame 502
The free edge of 518 has a shape substantially corresponding to the sheet-shaped document conveyance path 76.

Locking means 520 for releasably locking the movable frame 502 at the closed position is provided. This locking means 520
Are hook pins 522 fixed to the front upright substrate 504, and a hook member 524 mounted on the front wall 516 of the movable frame 502.
And a manual operation member 526. As clearly shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the hook member 524 is pivotally mounted to the front wall 516 by a pin 528. The operating member 526 is pivotally mounted on the front wall 516 by a pin 530.
As can be understood by referring to FIG. 18, a protrusion 529 is formed on the upper part of the operating member 526, while the movable frame 50
A protruding piece 527 is formed at the front end of the second left side wall 514.
The turning movement of the operating member 526 is limited to a range between a first position shown by a solid line in FIG. 19 and a second position shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. In the first position, the lower surface of the protrusion 529 of the operation member 526 contacts the upper edge of the protrusion 527,
Therefore, the turning of the operation member 526 in the counterclockwise direction is prevented. In the second position, the rear lower end of the operating member 526 abuts against the inner surface of the protruding piece 527, and accordingly, the operating member 526
Is prevented from turning clockwise. A spring means 531 is extended between the front wall 516 and the hook member 524 by a tension coil spring. The spring means 531 elastically biases the hook member 524 clockwise. Hook member 524
The lower end of the spring member 531 is in contact with the upper end of the operating member 526.
To the operating member 526 to elastically bias the operating member 526 counterclockwise. Thus, the operating member 526 is the first
The first line shown in FIG. 9 and shown in FIG.
The hook member 524 is elastically held at the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 19 and in the position shown in FIG. The operation of the lock means 520 will be described.
It is as follows. For example, when the movable frame 502 is pivoted clockwise from the half-open position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 20 toward the closed position, the movable frame 502 approaches the closed position as understood by referring to FIG. Then, the hook member 524
When the inclined edge 533 formed at the end of the movable frame 502 contacts the locking pin 522 and the movable frame 502 is further rotated clockwise, the hook member 524 moves counterclockwise against the elastic biasing action of the spring means 531. Then, the operating member 526 is turned clockwise.
When the movable frame 502 is pivoted to the closed position shown in FIG. 19, the inclined edge 533 of the hook member 524 gets over the locking pin 522, so that the hook member 524 is opposed to the elastic biasing action of the spring means 531. The operating member 526 is turned clockwise to the position shown by the solid line in the counterclockwise direction. Thus, the hook member 52
4 is locked by the locking pin 522, and the movable frame 502 is locked at the closed position shown in FIG. To rotate the movable frame 502 counterclockwise from the closed position, the operation member 526 is required.
19, the operating member 526 is turned clockwise and the hook member 524 is turned counterclockwise to the position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. As a result, the hook member 524 is disengaged from the locking pin 522 and unlocked, so that the movable frame 5
02 can be turned counterclockwise.

On the inner surface of the front upright substrate 504, a movable frame 502 is provided.
When pivoted counterclockwise to the half-open position shown by the solid line in FIGS. 20 and 21, one end of a spring means 534 for elastically preventing the movable frame 502 from further pivoting counterclockwise is fixed. I have. The spring means 534 can be comprised of a leaf spring having an inverted U-shaped free end. Movable frame 502
Is turned counterclockwise to the half-open position,
The slope 535 at the lower edge of the front wall 506 of the movable frame 502 is
Abutting against the inverted U-shaped free end of the movable frame
502 is resiliently held in the half-open position. When the required force is applied to further force the movable frame 502 in the counterclockwise direction, the inclined portion 535 on the lower edge of the front wall 516 elastically deforms the inverted U-shaped free end of the spring means 534, and this is The movable frame 502 is swung to the open position as described above. Thus, the horizontal portion 537 at the lower end edge of the front wall 516 of the movable frame 502 abuts on the inverted U-shaped free end of the spring means 534, whereby the movable frame 502 is held at the open position. Movable frame 502
19, the inclined portion 535 at the lower end edge of the front wall 516 elastically deforms the inverted U-shaped free end of the spring means 534. Get over this. If desired, instead of fixing the spring means 534 to the front upright substrate 504, the spring means is fixed at an appropriate position on the movable frame 502, and when the movable frame 502 is turned to the half-open position, Appropriate members provided on the front upright substrate 504 may act on the spring means.

As can be understood by referring to FIG. 1 together with FIG. 19 and FIG.
90, 92, 94, 96 and 98 are mounted between the front upright substrate 504 and the rear upright substrate 506. On the other hand, the outer guide plates 84, 86 and 8 located on the other side (outer side) of the sheet-shaped original conveying path 76
8, the separation member 108, and the driven rollers 100, 102, and 104 are mounted between the front wall 516 and the rear wall 518 of the movable frame 502.
Therefore, when the movable frame 502 is moved from the closed position to the half-open position or the open position, the sheet-shaped document conveying path 76 is opened.

In the document scanning means 4 as described above, when a document jam occurs in the sheet-shaped document conveyance path 76, the movable frame 502 is moved to the half-open position shown by a solid line in FIGS. 18 and 20. As a result, the sheet-shaped document conveying path 76 is opened, so that the jammed document can be taken out sufficiently easily. The half-open position of the movable frame 502 is 20 minutes from the closed position.
Conveniently, it is a position that has been turned through 40 degrees.

On the other hand, at the time of cleaning or repair inspection of the sheet-shaped document conveying path 76, the movable frame 502 is pivoted beyond the half-open position to the open position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIGS. 18 and 20.
As a result, the sheet-shaped document conveying path 76 is opened sufficiently large, so that cleaning or repair and inspection can be performed sufficiently easily. Advantageously, the open position of the movable frame 502 is a position turned by 50 to 100 degrees from the closed position. Regarding the cleaning of the sheet-shaped document conveyance path 76, the following facts should be noted. That is, as described with reference to FIG. 1, when the image receiving means 18 is composed of a large number of solid-state imaging devices, as is well known to those skilled in the art, a predetermined portion of the outer guide plate 88 (second scanning area). 12), there is a shading colored region colored white, for example. Prior to the scanning of the original, a shading operation is performed to electrically adjust the sensitivity of each of the plurality of solid-state imaging devices according to the intensity of the reflected light from the shading coloring region. In such a case, if the colored area for shading becomes dirty, the shading action is not properly performed, and therefore, the colored area for shading needs to be periodically cleaned. In such a case, the movable frame 502 may be set to the open position.

As described above, in the illustrated document scanning means 4, the movable frame 502 can be selectively positioned at the half-open position and the fully-open position as needed, so that the so-called usability is extremely good. In addition, the movable frame 502 is not suddenly turned from the closed position directly to the open position, and the movable frame 502 is always temporarily stopped at the half-open position. Therefore, by unexpected sudden turning of the movable frame 502,
The user is not surprised or the finger or the like is not damaged by the movable frame 502.

Optical Means Next, the optical means 20 in the document scanning means 4 described with reference to FIG. 1, particularly the configuration related to the optical path conversion reflecting mirror 22, will be described in detail.

Referring to FIG. 21 and FIG. 22, the illustrated optical means 20 is a support frame formed from a synthetic resin into a required shape.
Contains 550. The first stationary reflection mirror 24 and the second stationary reflection mirror 26 are provided on the support frame 550.
The lens assembly 28 is fixed, and the image receiving means 18 is also fixed. Further, as clearly shown in FIG. 21, the support frame 550 is provided with a pair of support walls 55 at predetermined intervals in the width direction (the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 22).
2 and 554 are fixed. And this pair of support walls
The optical path conversion reflection mirror 22 is mounted between 552 and 554. Thus, in the example shown, the optical means 20
At the same time, the image receiving means 18 is formed as a single unit having a support frame 550, and such a unit is detachably mounted at a predetermined position in the housing 2. The structure of the support frame 550 and the first stationary reflection mirror 24, the second stationary reflection mirror 26, the lens assembly 28, and the image receiving means 18 fixed thereto constitute novel features improved according to the present invention. Therefore, a detailed description thereof will be omitted in this specification.

21 to 25, particularly with reference to FIGS. 21 and 25, a rotation shaft is provided between the support walls 552 and 554.
556 is rotatably mounted. A support plate 558 extending in the width direction is fixed to the rotation shaft 556, and the optical path conversion reflecting mirror 22 is mounted on the support plate 558.
Has been fixed. The rotating shaft 556, the support plate 558 fixed to the rotating shaft 556, and the optical path conversion
It is rotatable between a first position shown in FIGS. 22, and 25 and a second position shown in FIGS. 23 and 24. As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the support frame 55
At 0, a pair of substantially L-shaped first positioning stop pieces 560 are integrally formed at predetermined intervals in the width direction. When the route-changing reflecting mirror 22 is moved to the first position, the non-use both sides of the reflecting mirror surface of the light-path changing reflecting mirror 22 abut on the free ends of the pair of positioning stop pieces 560. 22 is prevented from further rotating counterclockwise in FIG. When the optical path changing reflecting mirror 22 is positioned at the first position, the first scanning area 10 is divided into the optical path changing reflecting mirror 22, the first stationary reflecting mirror 24, and the The image receiving means 18 via the second stationary reflecting mirror 26 and the lens assembly 28
Optically connected to the On the other hand, the optical path between the second scanning area 12 and the first stationary reflection mirror 24 is
And thus the second scanning area 12 is
Is not optically connected. Since the optical path-changing reflection mirror 22 positioned at the first position optically connects the first scanning area 10 to the first stationary reflection mirror 24, the reflection mirror surface is sufficiently precise. It is important to be positioned. In the illustrated example, since the reflecting mirror surface itself directly contacts the pair of first positioning stop pieces 560, if the pair of positioning stop pieces 560 are formed sufficiently accurately, the reflecting mirror surface will be sufficiently accurate. It can be positioned at the required position. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22,
Both ends of the rotating shaft 556 are projected outward through the support walls 552 and 554, and a lever member 562 is fixed to the projected end. Then, the support wall 552
And 554 have second positioning stop pieces 564 projecting outward.
Are formed. As shown in FIGS. 23 and 24,
When the light path changing reflection mirror 22 is moved to the second position, the lever member 562 comes into contact with the second positioning stop piece 564, and thus the light path changing reflection mirror 22 further rotates clockwise in FIG. Is blocked. When the optical path conversion reflecting mirror 22 is positioned at the second position, the first
As already mentioned with reference to the figures, the first scanning area 10 is no longer optically connected to the first stationary reflecting mirror 24 by the optical path-changing reflecting mirror 22, so that the first scanning area 10 and the image receiving means are not connected. 18 is not optically connected. On the other hand, the optical path conversion reflecting mirror 22 is connected to the second scanning area 12 and the first
The second scanning area 12 is retracted from the optical path between the second stationary scanning mirror 24 and the second stationary reflecting mirror 24, the second stationary reflecting mirror 26, and the lens assembly 28. Optically connected to the Since the optical path conversion reflecting mirror 22 positioned at the second position does not function as an optical element, the second position does not need to be precise.

A pin 566 is implanted at the free end of the lever member 562, and a pin 56 is also provided on the outer surfaces of the support walls 552 and 554.
A spring means 570, which may be a tension coil spring, is stretched between the pins 566 and 568. The spring means 570 is configured such that the pin 566 implanted in the lever member 562 is
At the neutral angle position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 24 and FIG.
The so-called hole point state which is the most extended state is obtained.
As shown in the drawing, when the lever member 562 is moved to the counterclockwise side in FIG. 22 from the neutral angle position,
The lever member 562 is elastically biased in the counterclockwise direction, thus elastically holding the optical path changing reflection mirror 22 at the first position. As shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, when the lever member 562 is clockwise from the neutral angle position in FIG. 24, the lever member 562 is elastically biased clockwise, thus changing the optical path. The reflection mirror 22 is elastically held at the second position.

The optical means 20 further includes optical path changing means, generally designated by reference numeral 572, for selectively positioning the optical path changing reflecting mirror 22 at the first position and the second position. 21st
Referring to FIG. 25 together with FIG.
An output rotary member 574, which may be a disk, is fixed, and an input rotary member 576, which may be a gear, is rotatably attached to the output rotary member 574. Then, the output rotation member 574 and the input rotation member 576
Is connected so as to be relatively rotatable over an angle range of about 40 degrees. In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 24, the output rotary member 574 is formed with an arc-shaped slot 578, and the input rotary member 576 is formed with a protrusion 580 projecting into the slot 578. Have been. Protrusion
580 is free to move from one end 578a to the other end 578b of slot 578, thereby permitting relative rotation of output rotary member 574 and input rotary member 576 over a predetermined angular range. A support bracket 582 is fixed to the outer surface of the support wall 552, as shown most clearly in FIG. An electric motor 584 is mounted below the support bracket 582. The output shaft 586 of the electric motor 584 extends upward through the bottom wall of the support bracket 582, and a worm is formed on the output shaft 586. On the side wall of the support bracket 582, a rotation shaft 588 whose one end penetrates the support wall 552 and protrudes inward is rotatably mounted. A gear 590 engaged with the output shaft and a gear 592 engaged with the input rotating member 576 are fixed to the rotating shaft 588. Thus, the input rotating member 576 is drivingly connected to the output shaft 586 of the electric motor 584 via the gear 592, the rotating shaft 588, and the gear 590. As clearly shown in FIG. 22 and FIG.
In FIG. 4, one operating projection 594 is formed. And
On the inner surface of the support wall 552, two detectors 596 and 5 which may be micro switches opened by the operation protrusion 594 are provided.
98 are mounted at predetermined angular intervals.

The operation and effect of the optical path conversion unit 572 as described above will be described as follows. When the optical path conversion mirror 22 is rotated from the first position shown in FIG. 22 to the second position shown in FIG. 24, the electric motor 584 is energized to rotate in a predetermined direction, and the input rotating member is rotated. 576 is second
In Fig. 2, it is rotated clockwise. When the input rotary member 576 rotates somewhat clockwise, the protrusion 580 formed on the input rotary member 576 contacts one end 578b of the slot 578 formed on the output rotary member 574. Thereafter, the output rotary member 574 is also rotated clockwise against the elastic biasing action of the spring means 570 accompanying the rotation of the input rotary member 576. When the output rotation member 574 is rotated clockwise to a position beyond the neutral angle position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG.
The resilient biasing action of the spring means 570 is in a direction to bias the output rotary member 574 clockwise, thereby causing the output rotary member 57
4 rotates clockwise relative to the input rotary member 576, so that the output rotary member 574, and thus the path-changing reflecting mirror 22, is resiliently biased by the spring means 570 to the second position shown in FIG. Be positioned. At the same time or slightly earlier, an operating protrusion 594 formed on the output rotating member 574 closes the detector 598, and the electric motor 58
Disarm 4 Thus, the input rotating member 576 is stopped after having oscillated clockwise by an angle that is somewhat smaller than the predetermined angle range defined by the slot 578 and the projection 580. Thus, even if the stop angular position of the input rotary member 576 due to the deenergization of the electric motor 584 is not sufficiently precise (it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to control the stop angular position of the input rotary member 576 sufficiently precisely. ), The optical path conversion reflecting mirror 22 is sufficiently reliably and precisely positioned at the second position.

When the optical path conversion mirror 22 is rotated from the second position shown in FIG. 24 to the first position shown in FIG. 22, the electric motor 584 is biased to rotate in the opposite direction, and the input rotating member is rotated. 576 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. When the input rotary member 576 rotates somewhat counterclockwise, the protrusion 580 formed thereon contacts the other end 578a of the slot 578 formed in the output rotary member 574. Thereafter, the output rotary member 574 is rotated counterclockwise against the elastic biasing action of the spring means 570 accompanying the rotation of the input rotary member 576. The output rotating member 574 extends to a position beyond the neutral angle position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG.
Is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, the elastic biasing action of the spring means 570 is in a direction to bias the output rotating member 574 in a counterclockwise direction, whereby the output rotating member 574 is moved to the input rotating member 5.
Rotating counterclockwise relative to 76, the output rotating member 574, and thus the path-changing reflecting mirror 22, is positioned in the first position shown in FIG. 22 by the elastic biasing action of the spring means 570. At the same time or slightly earlier, an operating projection 594 formed on the output rotating member 574.
Closes the detector 596 and deenergizes the electric motor 584. Thus, the input rotation member 576 is connected to the slot 578 and the projection 58.
After elliptical movement in the counterclockwise direction by some angle smaller than the predetermined angle range defined by 0, the vehicle is stopped. Thus, even if the stop angle position of the input rotary member 576 due to the deenergization of the electric motor 584 is not sufficiently precise, the optical path conversion reflecting mirror 22 can be sufficiently reliably and precisely positioned at the first position.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the image generating unit 6 in the illustrated image processing apparatus includes a printing unit 602 disposed on the upper right side in the housing 2. The printing unit 602 includes a print head 604 and an ink ribbon cartridge.
And 606. The print head 604 may be a known heating head (thermal head), and a print output area 608 is formed on the lower right side of the print head 604. The ink ribbon cartridge 606 includes a cartridge case 610 and a ribbon unwinding shaft 6 rotatably mounted in the cartridge case 610.
12 and ribbon winding shaft 614, and thermal ink ribbon 616
Having. The ribbon unwinding shaft 612 and the ribbon winding shaft 614 extend substantially in parallel at a predetermined interval from each other. The ink ribbon 616 is unwound from a ribbon unwinding shaft 612, passes through the print output area 608, and is wound on a ribbon winding shaft 614. The ink ribbon cartridge 606 will be described later in more detail.

The image generating means 6 further includes a printing medium supply means 618 disposed at a lower right portion of the housing 2. The illustrated printing medium supply means 618 is provided with a lower cassette type supply means 620.
And an upper cassette type supply means 622. The lower cassette type supply means 620 includes a cassette 624 and a supply roller 626.
And The cassette 624 is constituted by a container which is removably mounted on the housing 2 by inserting the front half into the housing 2 through an opening formed in the right side wall of the housing 2. In the cassette 624, for example, a sheet-shaped material to be printed, which may be A4 size according to the JIS standard, is accommodated in a stacked state. The printing material may be plain paper. The supply roller 626 is selectively rotated clockwise to send out the printing material from the cassette 624 one by one to the front, that is, to the left. The upper cassette type supply means 622 also has a cassette 628 and a supply roller 630. In a cassette 628 composed of a container detachably attached to the housing 2 in the same manner as the cassette 624, for example, a sheet-shaped printing material, which may be plain paper of B5 size according to JIS standard, is accommodated in a stacked state. ing. The supply roller 630 is selectively rotated clockwise to send out the printing material from the cassette 628 one by one to the front, that is, to the left. Such a printing material supply means 618 may be substantially the same as a well-known cassette type sheet material supply means used in an electrostatic copying machine or the like. Is omitted in this specification.

The image generating means 6 further includes the printing material supply means 618.
Extending from the sending end (left end) to the print output area 608,
It includes a printing material carry-in path generally designated by reference numeral 632 and a coated printing material carry-out path 636 extending from the print output area 608 to a print material discharge port 634 formed on the right side wall of the housing 2. The printing material carry-in path 632 extends from the sending end of the lower cassette type feeding means 620 to the print output area 608, and the main material feeding way 638 from the sending end of the upper cassette type feeding means 622. There is a sub-printing material carrying path 640 that extends to an intermediate point of the printing material carrying path 638 and joins the main printing material carrying path 638. One side of the main printing material carrying path 638 extending in a substantially semicircular shape is defined by guide plates 642, 644 and 646, and the other side is a left half of the guide plate 648, an upper end of the guide plate 650, an upper end of the guide plate 652, and a guide plate. 654. One side of the sub-printing material carrying path 640 is defined by the right half of the guide plate 648 and the guide plate 656, and the other side is the guide plate 658.
And the main part of the guide plate 652. One side (lower side) of the printing material discharge path 636 is defined by the guide plate 660, and the other side (upper side) is defined by the lower right side of the cartridge case 610 of the ink ribbon cartridge 606. On the right side wall of the housing 2, a printing material receiving tray 6 extending rightward from below the printing material discharge port 634.
62 is detachably mounted. Printing material loading path 63
The printing material transporting means for transporting the printing material through the print output area 608, and then transporting the printing material through the printing material output path 636 includes the main printing material transport path 638.
Main transfer roller pairs 662 and 664 and 666 and 6
68, a pair of sub-conveying rollers 670 and 672 disposed on the sub-printing material conveying path 640, a platen roller 674 disposed opposite the print output area 608, and the printing material discharge path 636.
And a pair of unloading rollers 676 and 678 disposed at the downstream end of the roller.

The operation and effect of the image generating means 6 as described above will be summarized and described as follows.

When performing printing, the lower cassette type feeding means 620
The printing medium is sent out from either one of the feeding unit 622 and the upper cassette type feeding means 622. The printing material sent from the lower cassette type supply means 620 passes through the main printing material carrying path 638,
The print material sent from the upper cassette type supply means 622 is carried into the print output area 608 through the sub print material carry-in path 640 and the downstream portion of the main print material carry-in path 638. Print output area 608
In the ink ribbon 61, the printing medium is moved in synchronization with the action of the platen roller 674.
6, the ink ribbon 616 is selectively heated by the selective heating action of the print head 604, and the printing material is printed as required. Print head
When the image processing apparatus is used as a facsimile, the selective heating action of 604 is based on a signal received from a transmission source, and when the image processing apparatus is used as a copying machine, the image receiving unit 4 receives the image. Electronically controlled according to the signal generated by the means 18. The printed printing material is conveyed through the printing material discharge path 636 and discharged to the printing material receiving tray 662 through the printing material discharge port 634.

26. Opening of Loading and Unloading Path for Printed Material Explained with reference to FIG. 26, the right side of the upper surface of the housing 2 (that is, the portion located above the printing means 602)
The upper end of the right side surface of the housing 2 (that is, a portion above the upper edge of the printing material discharge port 634) is movable door member 6
Specified by 80. This movable door member 680
In FIG. 26, it has a main portion 682 extending in the left-right direction, and a hanging portion 684 extending downward from the right end of the main portion 682. Referring to FIG. 27 together with FIG. 26, the movable door member 68
Numeral 0 is mounted on the stationary main frame of the housing 2 so as to be pivotable between a closed position shown in FIG. 26 and an open position shown in FIG. More specifically, the main frame of the housing 2 is
It has a front upright substrate 504 and a rear upright substrate 506 already described with reference to FIG. 18 (only the rear upright substrate 506 is shown in FIGS. 26 and 27). The movable door member 680 has a protruding piece 686 that protrudes downward from a left front portion and a left rear portion of a main portion 682 thereof. Such protruding piece 6
86 to the front upright substrate 504 and the rear upright substrate 506
8, the movable door member 680 is attached between the front upright substrate 504 and the rear upright substrate 506 so as to be pivotable between the closed position and the open position. You. Needless to say, in order to move the movable door member 680 from the closed position to the open position, as shown in FIG. 27, the movable document table 30 mounted on the upper surface of the housing 2 is It is necessary to move it to the left from the left end. The hanging part 684 of the movable door member 680 is formed of a rectangular front wall 690 and a rear wall (FIG. 26 and FIG.
27 only the front wall 690 is shown). A rod 692 is rotatably mounted between the front wall 690 and the rear wall. Both ends of the rod 692 project through the front wall 690 and the rear wall, respectively, and hook members 694 are fixed to the both ends. The rod 692 and the hook member 694 fixed thereto are elastically biased clockwise by a suitable spring means (not shown).
It is elastically held in the operating position shown in FIGS. 26 and 27. A manual operation lever 696 whose free end protrudes rightward beyond the right side wall of the housing 2 is fixed to the front end of the rod 692. On the other hand, the front upright substrate 5
04 and the inner surface of each of the rear upright boards 506, a locking pin 698
Has been planted. When the movable door member 680 is pivoted clockwise from the open position shown in FIG. 27 to the vicinity of the closed position shown in FIG. Thereafter, in response to the clockwise turning of the movable door member 680, the hook member 694 is turned counterclockwise against the elastic biasing action of the spring means. When the movable door member 680 is turned to the closed position shown in FIG.
700 rides over the locking pin 698, so that the resilient biasing action of the spring means causes the hook member 694 to return to the operative position and lock onto the locking pin 698. Thus, the movable door member 6
80 is locked in the closed position. Movable door member 680 second
When the lever is moved to the open position shown in FIG. 7, the free end of the manual operation lever 696 is pushed upward to pivot the hook member 694 counterclockwise, disengage from the locking pin 698, and thus release the lock. do it.

The discharge roller 678 is mounted between the front wall 690 and the rear wall of the movable door member 680, while the discharge roller 678 is mounted.
A discharge roller 676 cooperating with the above is mounted between the front upright substrate 504 and the rear upright substrate 506. Further, as clearly understood from FIG. 27, the main part 682 of the movable door member 680
A pair of hanging pieces 702 are provided on the lower surface of the
(Only one hanging piece 702 is shown in FIG. 27). Then, the print head 604 of the printing unit 602
Is mounted between the pair of hanging pieces 702 by an appropriate method. The print head 604 has a guide member 7 extending downward.
04 is fixed.

On the other hand, an ink ribbon cartridge support member is mounted on the inner surface of each of the front upright substrate 504 and the rear upright substrate 506. Then, ink ribbon cartridge 606
Is detachably mounted between the ink ribbon cartridge support members by lowering the movable door member 680 through the access opening 706 formed on the upper surface of the housing 2 by moving the movable door member 680 to the open position shown in FIG. . The ink ribbon cartridge support member and the ink ribbon cartridge 606 will be described in further detail later.

Attach the ink ribbon cartridge 606 to the required position,
Next, when the movable door member 680 is moved to the closed position, the print head 604 enters a space existing at the center of the cartridge case 610 of the ink ribbon cartridge 606 and is positioned at a required position (see also FIG. 30). Want). The guide member 704 mounted on the print head 604
Acts on the ink ribbon 616 (and the material to be printed) immediately downstream of the print output area 608 and guides the ink ribbon 616 downward (whereby the leading edge of the material to be printed accompanies the ink ribbon 616 and the ink ribbon cartridge 606 Is prevented from entering.

26 and 27, a main movable frame 707 and a sub movable frame 708 are provided between the front upright substrate 504 and the rear upright substrate 506. I have. The main movable frame 707 includes a front wall 710 and a rear wall (a front wall in FIGS. 26 and 27) positioned at predetermined intervals in a front-rear direction (a direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIGS. 26 and 27). 710 only). The main movable frame 707 pivots between the front upright substrate 504 and the rear upright substrate 506 by a shaft 712 between a closed position shown in FIG. 26 and an open position shown in FIG. It is freely attached. The sub movable frame 70
8 also has a front wall 714 and a rear wall located at predetermined intervals in the front-rear direction (FIGS. 26 and 27 show only the front wall 714). The sub movable frame 708 is disposed between the front upright substrate 504 and the rear upright substrate 506 by a shaft 716.
It is mounted so as to be pivotable between a closed position shown in FIG. 26 and an open position shown in FIG. Referring to FIGS. 28 and 29 together with FIGS. 26 and 27, the main movable frame 70
7, one edge of the front wall 710 and the rear wall (FIG. 26 and FIG.
A positioning protrusion 718 is formed on the right edge in FIG. 27). A positioning projection 720 is formed on one side edge (right edge in FIGS. 26 and 27) of the front wall 714 and the rear wall of the sub movable frame 708, and a positioning projection 7 is formed on the other side edge.
22 are formed. Further, the front wall 7 of the main movable frame 707 is
Projection pieces 724 protruding outward are formed on 10 and the rear wall,
Projection pieces 726 projecting outward are also formed on the front wall 714 and the rear wall of the sub movable frame body 708. One end of a leaf spring 728 is fixed to the protruding piece 726, and the leaf spring 728
Is positioned opposite to the protruding piece 724. Further, the main movable member 707 and the sub movable member 708 are
Locking means 730 for releasably locking to the closed position shown in the figure is provided. The locking means 730 includes a hook mechanism 732 mounted on the main movable frame 707.
Referring to FIGS. 28 and 29, the main movable frame 70
7, a rod 734 is rotatably mounted between the front wall 710 and the rear wall. Hook members 736 are fixed to both ends of a rod 734 that penetrates the front wall 710 and the rear wall and protrudes outward, and an intermediate portion of the rod 734 has a manual member protruding upward therefrom. The operation lever 737 is fixed. Further, the hook member 736 includes a spring means 7 which may be a leaf spring.
One end of 38 is fixed. The other end of the spring means 738 abuts against the back surface of the protruding piece 724, so that the spring means 738 elastically maintains the hook member 736 in the illustrated operating position (rod 734, hook member 736 and operating lever 737).
26 and 27 have a tendency to pivot counterclockwise in FIGS. 26 and 27 due to their own weight.
By turning the other end of 8 into contact with the back surface of the protruding piece 724, the counterclockwise rotation is prevented). On the other hand,
On the inner surface of the front upright substrate 504 and the rear upright substrate 506,
A locking pin 740 is implanted.

When the main movable frame 707 is turned from the open position shown in FIG. 27 (and FIG. 29) to the closed position shown in FIG. 26 (and FIG. 28), the main movable frame 707 is formed on the main movable frame 707. The leaf spring 72 in which the protruding piece 724 is fixed to the sub movable frame body 708
By acting on 8, the sub movable frame 708 is also pivoted from the open position shown in FIG. 27 (and FIG. 29) to the closed position shown in FIG. 26 (and FIG. 28). Thus,
When the sub-movable frame 708 is set to the closed position shown in FIG. 26, the positioning protrusions 720 formed on the sub-movable frame 708 move the front upright substrate 504 and the rear upright substrate 506.
26, the sub-movable frame 708 is prevented from further turning clockwise in FIG. 26. Thereafter, the main movable frame 707 is turned against the elastic biasing action of the leaf spring 728. When the main movable frame 707 is turned to the vicinity of the closed position shown in FIG. 26, the inclined edge 742 formed at the tip of the hook member 736 comes into contact with the locking pin 740. After a while, the main movable frame 7
26, the hook member 736 is turned counterclockwise in FIG. 26 against the elastic biasing action of the spring means 738. When the main movable frame 707 is pivoted to the closed position shown in FIG. 26, the inclined edge 742 of the hook member 736 rides over the locking pin 740, so that the hook member 736 is resiliently biased by the spring means 738. The main movable frame 707 and the sub movable frame 708 are locked to the closed positions shown in FIG. 26 by being returned to the operating position and locked by the locking pins 740. Further, when the main movable frame 707 is turned to the closed position, the positioning projections 718 formed on the main movable frame 707 abut against the front end and the rear end of the guide plate 652, and the main body 707 is moved further. Rotation is prevented, and the positioning projection 722 formed on the sub movable frame 708 abuts on the main movable frame 707, and thus the main movable frame 707 and the sub movable frame 708 are closed with respect to the guide plate 652 in a predetermined manner. Be positioned.

The main movable frame 707 and the sub movable frame 708 are connected to each other in FIG. 27 (and FIG. 29).
In order to bring it to the open position shown in FIG.
26. By pressing the manual operation lever 737 of 732, the hook member 736 can be turned counterclockwise in FIG. 26 against the elastic biasing action of the spring means 738, and thus the lock can be released. Thus, by the elastic biasing action of the leaf spring 728 fixed to the sub movable frame 708, and also by the main movable frame 7
07 Due to its own weight, the main movable frame 707 automatically
It is pivoted to the open position shown in FIG. When the main movable frame 707 is in the open position shown in FIG. 27, the main movable frame 7
07 is the partition wall located behind (left side in Fig. 27)
743 and is held in the open position. Also, the sub movable frame 708 is swung to the open position shown in FIG. 27 due to its own weight. The secondary movable frame 708 is the second
When the open position shown in FIG. 7 is reached, the front wall 714 and the rear wall of the sub movable frame 708 are mounted between the front upright substrate 504 and the rear upright substrate 506 as clearly shown in FIG. Axis 74
4 (the shaft 744 is provided with the main transport roller 662), and the sub movable frame 708 is held at the open position.

As can be understood by referring to FIG. 1 in conjunction with FIGS. 26 and 27, the guide plates 644 and 646 and the main transport rollers 664 and 668 located on one side (left side) of the main printing material carry-in path 638 are provided. , Mounted on the main movable frame 707. Further, the guide plate 656 and the sub-transport roller 672 located on one side of the sub-printing material carrying path 640 together with the guide substrate 650 located on the other side of the main printing material carrying path 638 are connected to the sub movable frame 708.
It is attached to. On the other hand, guide plates 642, 648, 652, 654 and 6
58, the main transport rollers 662 and 666, the sub transport roller 670, and the platen roller 674 are directly mounted on the stationary main frame (ie, the front upright substrate 504 and the rear upright substrate 506). When the main movable frame 707 and the sub movable frame 708 are set to the open positions shown in FIG. 27, the main printing material loading path 638 and the sub printing material loading path While most of 640 is open, the main transport rollers 664 and 668 and the sub-transport roller 672 are separated from the cooperating main transport rollers 662 and 666 and the sub-transport roller 670, respectively.

In the illustrated example, as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, the main movable frame 7
An elastic operating piece 746 acting on 07 is integrally formed (the effect of the elastic operating piece 746 will be described later).

In the image generating means 6 as described above, when it becomes necessary to replace the ink ribbon cartridge 606, the movable door member 680 is moved to the open position shown in FIG.
Then, the ink ribbon cartridge 606 is lifted up and taken out through the opened access opening 706, and then a new ink ribbon cartridge 606 is lowered through the access opening 706 and mounted at a required position. Thereafter, the movable door member 680 is moved to the closed position shown in FIG.

When the printing medium is clogged in the printing medium discharge path 636 to the printing output area 608, the movable door member 680 is moved to the 27th.
Move to the open position shown in the figure. Thus, the print head 604 is separated upward from the platen roller 674, and the discharge roller 678 is separated upward from the discharge roller 676 cooperating therewith. Next, the ink ribbon cartridge 606 is lifted up and taken out through the opened access opening 706. As a result, the printing material discharge section 636 is opened.
Therefore, the clogged printing material can be removed sufficiently easily.

Main printing material loading path 638 and / or secondary printing material loading path 640
In the case where the printing medium is clogged in the above, the movable door member 680 is moved to the open position, and then the ink ribbon cartridge 606 is taken out, and then the above-mentioned hook is exposed by taking out the ink ribbon cartridge 606. The manual operation lever 737 of the mechanism 732 is pressed. Thus, as described above, the main movable frame 707 and the sub movable frame 708 are automatically brought to the open positions shown in FIG. Accordingly, a majority of the main printing material carry-in path 638 and the sub-printing material carry-in path 640 are opened, and the rollers 664, 668, and 672 are separated from the rollers 662, 666, and 670, respectively, which cooperate with them. Thus, the main printing material carrying path 638 and / or the secondary printing material carrying path 638
From 40, the clogged printing material can be taken out sufficiently easily upward. Thereafter, the main movable frame 707 and the sub movable frame 708 are returned to the closed positions shown in FIG. 26, and then the ink ribbon cartridge 606 is mounted again at a required position. Alternatively, the ink ribbon cartridge 606 may be used without returning the main movable frame 707 and the sub movable frame 708 to the closed position.
Can be directly mounted again at the required position. 27th
As can be understood by referring to FIGS.
When the ink ribbon cartridge 606 is lowered for remounting without returning the main movable frame 707 and the sub movable frame 708 to the above-described closed position, and keeping the main movable frame 707 and the sub movable frame 708 at the open positions shown in FIG. An elastic operation piece 746 formed on the lower surface of the cartridge case 610 of 606 abuts on the upper surface of the main movable frame 707, thereby
07 and the sub movable frame 708 are turned toward the closed position shown in FIG. Then, ink ribbon cartridge 60
When 6 is lowered to the required position, the main movable frame 707 and the sub movable frame 708 are moved to the closed positions shown in FIG. Accordingly, in the specific example shown in which the elastic operating piece 746 is provided on the ink ribbon cartridge 606,
Even if the main movable frame 707 and the sub movable frame 708 are forcibly closed and the ribbon cartridge 606 is remounted, no inconvenience occurs. When the above-mentioned elastic operating piece 746 is provided in the ink ribbon cartridge 606,
When the ink ribbon cartridge 606 is mounted at a predetermined position, the elastic operating piece 746 is moved to the main movable frame 707 and the sub movable frame 707.
Since the 708 is held in the closed position, the locking means 730 for locking the main movable frame 707 and the sub movable frame 708 in the closed position can be omitted if desired. In this case, when the ink ribbon cartridge 606 is raised from the predetermined position, the main movable frame 707 and the sub movable frame 708 are immediately turned to the above open position.

Ink Ribbon Cartridge As described above with reference to FIG. 1, the ink ribbon cartridge 606 includes a cartridge case 610, a ribbon unwinding shaft 612, a ribbon winding shaft 614, and a thermal ink ribbon 616. Referring to FIG. 30, FIG. 31, and FIG. 32 in detail, the cartridge case 610, which can be formed of an appropriate synthetic resin, moves in the front-rear direction (the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 32). With the front and rear walls 750 and 752 spaced apart, the left side in FIG.
An unwinding shaft upper cover wall 754 extending from 750 to the rear wall 752 and a winding shaft upper cover wall 756 extending on the right side from the front wall 750 to the rear wall 752 in FIG. In addition, the front wall 750 and the rear wall
752, the unwinding shaft lower cover member 758 surrounding the ribbon unwinding shaft 612 in cooperation with the upper cover wall 754, and the ribbon winding shaft 614 in cooperation with the upper cover wall 756. A surrounding take-up shaft lower cover member 760 is detachably mounted. No. 32
As clearly shown in the figure, there is a space 762 for unwinding the ink ribbon between the upper cover wall 754 and the lower cover member 758, and the upper cover wall 756 and the lower cover member 758. There is an interval 764 between 760 and the ink ribbon winding. The lower cover member 758 for the ribbon unwinding shaft 612 is protruded rightward in FIG. 32 beyond the position where the space 762 exists. Has formed.

As shown in FIG. 30, on both sides of the front wall 750,
Hollow sleeve portions 766 and 768 projecting forward are formed. On the other hand, in the rear wall 752, the hollow sleeve portion 7
Hollow sleeve part 77 projecting backwards at the part corresponding to 66
0 (FIG. 31) is formed, but only a circular hole 772 (FIG. 31) is formed at the end corresponding to the hollow sleeve portion 768. None (the reasons will be clear from the description below). The both ends of the ribbon unwinding shaft 612 are rotatably mounted on the hollow sleeve portions 766 and 770, respectively.
One end of the ribbon take-up shaft 614 has the hollow sleeve 7
The other end of 68 is rotatably mounted in the circular hole 772. As clearly shown in FIG. 31, wheels 774 and 776 having relatively large diameters are fixed to the ribbon unwinding shaft 612 at predetermined intervals in the front-rear direction (the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 32). . Also, relatively large-diameter wheels 778 and 780 are fixed to the ribbon winding shaft 614 at predetermined intervals in the front-rear direction. The ink ribbon 616 wound around the ribbon unwinding shaft 612 between the wheels 774 and 776 is unwound from the ribbon unwinding shaft 612, passes through the interval 762, and extends along the lower surface of the cartridge case 610. And then the above interval 764
Through the ribbon winding shaft between the above wheels 778 and 780
Wound around 614.

Referring to FIGS. 31 and 32, the wheel 774 fixed to the ribbon unwinding shaft 612 is integrally formed with a cylindrical collar 782 projecting in the axial direction. Correspondingly, the upper cover wall 7 of the cartridge case 610 is
Attached to the inner surface of 54 is a brake member 784, which is conveniently formed of a material having a high coefficient of friction. The brake member 784 is brought into contact with the collar 782 to apply a required control force to the rotation of the ribbon unwinding shaft 612. Thus, the ribbon unwinding shaft 612 rotates freely, thereby preventing the ink ribbon 616 from becoming loose, for example, between the interval 762 and the interval 764.

Continuing the description with reference to FIGS. 31 and 32, the wheel 778 fixed to the ribbon winding shaft 614 is also integrally formed with a cylindrical collar protruding in the axial direction. A large number of ratchet pawls having a gentle inclined surface on the front side and a sharp inclined surface on the rear side in the ink ribbon winding direction (clockwise direction in FIG. 32) are preferably provided on the peripheral surface of the collar. A projection 788 is formed. On the other hand, a shaft support 790 is integrally formed on the upper surface of the lower cover member 760, and a locking member 792 is attached to the shaft support 790 by attaching a shaft formed integrally therewith. It is mounted so that it can turn freely. Spring means 794, which may be a compression coil spring, is interposed between one end of the locking member 792 and the lower cover member 760. The spring means 794 resiliently biases the locking member 792 in the clockwise direction, and the operating position shown by the solid line in FIG. 32, that is, the locking claw 796 formed at the one end portion has the sharp It is elastically maintained in the working position engaging the inclined surface. The lower cover member 760 is further provided with a release piece entry opening 798 at a position corresponding to the other end of the locking member 792. Ink ribbon cartridge 6
When the 06 is removed from the predetermined position in the housing 2, the locking member 792 is maintained in the operating position by the elastic biasing action of the spring means 794. Therefore, the locking member
The engagement of the locking claws 796 of the 792 with the sharp inclined surface of the projection 788 prevents the ribbon winding shaft 614 from rotating in the opposite direction (clockwise in FIG. 32) with respect to the winding direction. . Thus, the take-up shaft 614 rotates in the opposite direction to the take-up direction, thereby preventing the ink ribbon 616 from becoming loose, for example, between the interval 762 and the interval 764. Ink ribbon 616 for some reason
If the ink ribbon 616 has already been loosened, the ribbon winding shaft 614 can be forcibly rotated in the winding direction so that the slack of the ink ribbon 616 can be eliminated. In this case, the protrusion 78
8 acts on the locking claw 796 of the locking member 792 to rotate the locking member 792 counterclockwise against the elastic biasing action of the spring means 794.
Rotation in the winding direction of 4 is permitted. On the other hand, as described later, the ink ribbon cartridge 606 is
32, the release piece implanted at a predetermined position in the housing 2 as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG.
800 (see also FIG. 30)
It enters through 98 and acts on the other end of the locking member 792 to pivot the locking member 792 to a non-operating position against the elastic biasing action of the spring means 792. Then, the locking member 792
The locking pawl 796 of the ribbon is separated from the projection 788, and thus the ribbon winding shaft
614 free rotation is allowed. Thus, as described below, the ribbon winding shaft 614 can be driven to rotate in the winding direction as required without generating undesirable noise. The ribbon take-up shaft 614 can be driven to rotate in the take-up direction even if the locking member 792 is kept in the operation position shown by the solid line in FIG. 32.
The rotation of the locking member 792 in the counterclockwise direction due to the gentle slope of the locking member 792 and the clockwise rotation of the locking member 792 due to the elastic biasing action of the spring means 794 are repeatedly performed. And also the ribbon winding shaft 61
The smooth rotation of 4 may be hindered.

Referring to FIG. 30, the front upright substrate 504 will be described.
On the inner surface of the ink ribbon cartridge front support member 802
The ink ribbon cartridge rear support member 804 is mounted on the inner surface of the rear upright substrate 506.
An ink ribbon cartridge accommodating space is defined between the front support member 802 and the rear support member 804. On both sides of the inner surface of the front support member 802, support recesses 806 and 808 are provided.
Are formed. The bottom surfaces of the support recesses 806 and 808 are semicircular. Further, the front support member 802 also has a support surface 810 that protrudes rearward below the support recess 808. On the other hand, in the rear support member 804, a support recess 812 is formed on the inner left side. The bottom surface of the support recess 812 is also semicircular. The support recess 812 has a leaf spring 814 whose upper end is fixed to the rear support member 804. A circular hole 816 is provided on the right side of the inner surface of the rear support member 804.
Is detachably mounted. The cover wall 818 covers an output end of an ink ribbon driving unit described later. The rear support member 804 has
Further, a support surface 820 protruding forward below the cover wall 818 is also formed.

The ink ribbon cartridge 606 is mounted between the front support member 802 and the rear support member 804 by being lowered through the access opening 706. More specifically, the hollow sleeve portions 766 and 768 formed on the front surface of the front wall 750 of the cartridge case 610 are mounted on the semicircular bottom surfaces of the support recesses 806 and 808 of the front support member 802, respectively. A hollow sleeve portion 770 (FIG. 31) formed on the rear surface of the rear wall 752 of the cartridge case 610 is placed on the semicircular bottom surface of the support recess 812 of the rear support member 804. The lower surface of the right side of the cartridge case 610 is placed on the support surface 810 of the front support member 802 and the support surface 820 of the rear support member 804. The spring 814 present in the support recess 812 of the rear support member 804 has its free end
Acting on the ten hollow sleeves 770, the cartridge case 610 is elastically biased forward. As above,
When the ink ribbon cartridge 606 is mounted at a predetermined position between the front support member 802 and the rear support member 804, a circular hole 772 formed in the rear wall 752 of the cartridge case 610 is provided.
The rear end of the ribbon winding shaft 614, that is, the input end, which is rotatably supported by (FIG. 31), is axially aligned with the circular hole 816 formed in the cover wall 818. Position.

Referring to FIG. 33 together with FIG. 30, the rear upright substrate 606 includes an output shaft 82 of the ink ribbon driving unit 822.
4 is mounted rotatably and movably in the axial direction. The output shaft 824 is axially aligned with the ribbon winding shaft 614 of the ink ribbon cartridge 606 mounted at a predetermined position. A gear 826 is fixed to the rear end of the output shaft 824. Gear 826
Is drivingly connected to the electric motor 828 by an appropriate connecting means (not shown). A stop ring 829 is fixed to the front end of the output shaft 824 projecting forward from the rear upright substrate 506. Then, the rear upright substrate 506
Between the output shaft 824 and the stop ring 829.
An output element 830 is attached so as to rotate integrally with the output shaft 824 but to be movable in the axial direction with respect to the output shaft 824. An output shaft 824 is provided between the output element 830 and the rear upright substrate 506.
Is equipped with a spring means 832 which may be a compression coil spring. Such spring means 832 resiliently biases the output element 830 forward and presses against the retaining ring 829, and also via the output element 830 and the retaining ring 829 to the output shaft 82.
4 biases itself elastically forward. The output element 830 is
It has a frustoconical outer surface 834, on which a number of teeth are formed (see also FIG. 30). On the other hand, at the rear end of the ribbon winding shaft 614 of the ink ribbon cartridge 606, which is located opposite to the output element 830, an input having an inner peripheral surface 836 corresponding to the outer peripheral surface 834 of the output element 830 is provided. Element 838 is integrally formed.
Also, a large number of teeth are formed on the inner peripheral surface 836. If desired, contrary to the embodiment shown, an output element having a number of teeth formed on the inner peripheral surface of the truncated cone,
It is also possible to use an input element having a large number of teeth formed on the outer peripheral surface on a truncated cone.

Referring to FIGS. 33 and 34, the output shaft 824 is moved to the position shown in FIG. An interlocking mechanism 839 is provided for selectively positioning the retracted position shown by a solid line and the projected position shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. The interlocking mechanism 839 includes an L-shaped arm member 840 and lever members 842 and 844. The arm member 840 has a shaft 846 formed integrally, and the shaft 846 is attached to the rear upright substrate 50.
It is rotatably mounted on a bracket (not shown) fixed to 6. The lever member 842 is connected to the rear upright substrate 5
One end of the pin 848 implanted at 06 is pivotally mounted. An elongated slot 850 is formed in the lever member 844 and a pin 852 implanted in the rear upright substrate 506 is formed.
Is inserted into the slot 850. Thus, the lever member 844 is mounted so as to be movable in the extending direction of the slot 850 and pivotable about the pin 852. The free end (left end in FIG. 34) of the lever member 842 and the lower end of the lever member 844 are pivotally connected by a pin 854. The arm member 840 includes a first arm 856 located on the front side of the gear 826 fixed to the output shaft 824,
And a second arm 858 located below the lever member 844. A spring receiving member 860 is fixed to the rear upright substrate 506, and spring means 862, which may be a compression coil spring, is provided between the spring receiving member 860 and the first arm 856 of the arm member 840. I have. The spring means 862 elastically biases the arm member 840 counterclockwise in FIG. 33 by an elastic biasing force greater than the elastic biasing force of the spring means 832. Further, as shown in FIG. 34, an operating piece 864 having a lower surface having a shape corresponding to the upper end of the lever member 844 is fixed to the lower surface of the movable door member 680. See also FIG. 30 regarding the upper end of the lever member 844.

The operation and effect of the interlocking mechanism 839 as described above will be described as follows.

When the movable door member 680 is opened, the operating piece 864 fixed to the lower surface thereof is separated upward from the upper end of the lever member 844 as shown by a solid line in FIG. In such a state, the spring means 862 moves the arm member 840 to the second position.
The lever member 842 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 33 via the second arm 858 of the arm member 840 and clockwise in FIG. 34 and also via the lever member 842.
Are elastically biased upward. Therefore, the lever member 844
As shown by the solid line in FIG. 34, the lower end of the slot 850 is maintained at the raised position in contact with the pin 852, and accordingly, the lever member 842 and the arm member 840 are indicated by the solid line in FIGS. It is elastically maintained in the position shown. And the 33rd
The arm member 84 elastically maintained at the position shown by the solid line in the figure.
0 means that the first arm 856 acts on the gear 826 fixed to the output shaft 824, and the first arm 856 is elastically moved to the retracted position shown by a solid line in FIG. To maintain. When the output shaft 824 is in the retracted position, its tip does not protrude forward beyond the cover wall 818 (see also FIG. 30). Therefore, when the ink ribbon cartridge 606 is mounted at a predetermined position as described above, the leading end of the output shaft 824 does not interfere with the ink ribbon cartridge 606 and does not hinder the mounting.

On the other hand, when the movable door member 680 is closed after the ink ribbon cartridge 606 has been mounted at a predetermined position, FIG.
As shown by the dashed line, the operating piece 864 fixed to the lower surface of the movable door member 680 acts on the lever member 844 to lower it, and thus the lever member 842 is moved to the position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. Let me turn. Then, the lever member
The action of the 842 on the second arm 858 of the arm member 840 causes the arm member 840 to pivot to the position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. Thus, the output shaft 824 is brought to the projecting position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 33 by the elastic biasing action of the spring means 832. When the output shaft 824 is set in the protruding position, the output element attached to the tip end thereof
830 projects forward through a circular hole 816 formed in the cover wall 818 and elastically engages with an input element 838 provided at the rear end of the ribbon winding shaft 614 of the ink ribbon cartridge 606. I'm sullen. Thus, output shaft 8
24 is drivingly connected to the ribbon winding shaft 614, so that when the electric motor 828 is energized, the ribbon winding shaft 614 is driven to rotate in the winding direction.

In the specific example shown, an ink ribbon detecting device for detecting when the ink ribbon 616 is cut in the ink ribbon cartridge 606 mounted at a predetermined position and printing cannot be performed is thus further provided. ing.

Referring to FIGS. 35 and 36, a detection element 866 formed of a conductive material such as steel is mounted on the rear wall 752 of the cartridge case 610. The detected element 866 includes a shaft portion 868, a detected portion 870 extending from an inner end of the shaft portion 868, and a contact portion 872 biased to an outer end of the shaft portion 868. Shaft part 868 is cartridge case 61
It is rotatably mounted on the rear wall 752 of the zero. The detected element 866 is deviated clockwise in FIG. 35 due to its own weight, and the detected portion 870 is pressed against the inner surface of the non-wound traveling portion of the ink ribbon 616. Have been. The lower cover member 7 of the cartridge case 610
An opening 874 is formed in 60 corresponding to the detected portion 870. On the other hand, in the housing 2 in which the ink ribbon cartridge 606 is mounted, a detection element 876 located immediately below the opening 874 is provided. A sensing element 876, made of a conductive material such as steel, is connected via a resistor 878 to an applied voltage source 880 and to a signal generator 882. Further, in the housing 2,
A contact piece 884 with which the contact portion 872 of the detected element 866 is brought into contact is also provided. The contact piece 884, which can be formed from a conductive leaf spring, is grounded.

Ink ribbon 6 in ink ribbon cartridge 606
In the normal state where 16 is not disconnected, the detected element
The portion 870 to be detected 866 is separated from the detecting element 876 by an ink ribbon 616 having a non-conductive substrate. On the other hand,
When the ink ribbon 616 is cut, for example, in the print output area 608 (FIG. 1), the ink ribbon downstream of the cut portion is
Since the 616 is wound on the ribbon winding shaft 614, the detected element 86
The ink ribbon 616 no longer exists below the detected portion 870 in FIG. Thus, the detected element 866 is turned to the position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 35 due to its own weight, and the detected part 870 comes into direct contact with the detecting element 876. Therefore, the contact piece 884 is electrically connected to the detection element 870 via the detected element 866, and the signal generator 882 generates a signal.
In such a case, the operation of the image generating means 6 can be stopped, and an appropriate alarm (not shown) for alarming that the ink ribbon 616 has been cut can be activated.

FIG. 37 illustrates a modification of the detection element. This detection element 886 is constituted by an optical detector having a light emitting element and a light receiving element. When the ink ribbon 616 is cut and the detected element 866 reaches the position indicated by the two-dot chain line, the optical path between the light emitting element and the light receiving element in the detecting element 866 is blocked by the detected part 870 of the detected element 866. The detection element 886 generates a signal. In this case, of course,
The contact portion 872 of the element to be detected 886 can be omitted together with the contact piece 884. If desired, other suitable detectors such as microswitches or reed switches can be used.

<Effect of the Invention> Since the image processing apparatus according to the present invention is configured as described above, it functions not only as a sheet-type original conveying type but also as a movable original placing table type, so that it is necessary to configure the optical means to be movable. Therefore, the configuration of the optical means provided in the housing is simple, and no moving space for the optical means is required, so that the size of the housing and the entire apparatus can be reduced. Further, a simple configuration can be achieved without complicating the movable document table. Further, since the document insertion guide path formed on the movable document table forms a part of the sheet-shaped document conveyance path formed in the housing, the image processing apparatus includes a relatively small and inexpensive document scanning unit. Can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a simplified cross-sectional view showing a specific example of an image processing device configured according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a method of mounting a movable document table of a document scanning unit in the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a simplified partial cross-sectional view for explaining one mode of use of the document scanning means in the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 are simplified partial sectional views, inclined views, simplified partial sectional views and inclined views, respectively, showing a first modified example relating to the movable document table. And a partial sectional view. FIG. 10, FIG. 11, and FIG. 12 are a simplified partial cross-sectional view, an oblique view, and a simplified partial cross-sectional view, respectively, showing a second modified example of the movable document table. FIG. 13, FIG. 14, FIG. 15, FIG. 16, FIG. 17-A and FIG.
FIG. 6B is a simplified partial cross-sectional view, a slanted view, a simplified partial cross-sectional view, a partial cross-sectional view, an enlarged partial view, and an enlarged partial view showing a third modified example relating to the movable document table. FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing an opening mode of a sheet-shaped document conveying path of the document scanning means in the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 19 and 20 are partial cross-sectional views showing a sheet-shaped document conveying path of a document scanning unit in the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 in a closed state and an open state, respectively. FIG. 21, FIG. 22, FIG. 23, FIG. 24 and FIG.
FIG. 1 is an oblique view showing the optical means of the original scanning means in the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 in a state where the optical path conversion reflecting mirror is located at the first position, a side view showing the same state, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the optical path conversion reflection mirror is located at a first position, and a plan view showing a state in which the optical path conversion reflection mirror is located at a first position. FIGS. 26, 27, 28 and 29 are partial cross-sectional views showing the closed state of the loading and unloading paths of the printing medium of the image generating means in the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1, respectively. FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view showing an open state, a partial slope view showing a closed state, and a partial slope view showing an open state. FIG. 30 is a partial perspective view showing an ink ribbon cartridge of an image generating means in the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and its accommodating portion. FIG. 31 is a perspective view showing a configuration inside a cartridge case of the ink ribbon cartridge shown in FIG. 30. FIG. 32 is a sectional view of the ink ribbon cartridge shown in FIG. 30. 33 and 34 are partial cross-sectional views showing the ink ribbon driving means and the interlocking means related to the ink ribbon cartridge shown in FIG. 35 and 36 are partial cross-sectional views showing an ink ribbon cut detection device related to the ink ribbon cartridge shown in FIG. FIG. 37 is a partial sectional view showing a modification of the ink ribbon cut detection device. 2 ... housing, 4 ... original scanning means, 6 ... image generating means, 10 ... first scanning area, 12 ... second scanning area, 18
... Image receiving means, 20... Optical means, 29... First document scanning and moving means, 30, 230, 330 and 430.
... Second document scanning and moving means, 76 sheet-shaped document conveyance path, 602 printing means, 604 print head, 606 ink ribbon cartridge, 608 print output area, 618
Printed material supply means, 632: Printed material carry-in path, 636 ... Printed material carry-out path.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Taiichi Jinno 1-2-28 Tamazo, Higashi-ku, Osaka Mita Corporation (72) Inventor Kazuo Nakamura 1-2-28 Tamazo, Higashi-ku, Osaka Mita (72) Inventor Katsumi Nagata 1-2-28 Tamazo, Higashi-ku, Osaka Mita Kogyo Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-61-36737 (JP, A) JP-A-59-208976 ( JP, A)

Claims (16)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus comprising: a housing having an upper surface extending substantially in a horizontal direction and having a document insertion opening on the upper surface; and a document scanning means provided in the housing. The scanning means includes a first scanning area, a second scanning area,
Image receiving means, optical means for optically connecting the first scanning area and the second scanning area to the image receiving means, and first means for moving a document across the first scanning area. A document scanning and moving means for moving the document across the second scanning area; and a first document scanning and moving means for transmitting the document. A movable document table having a plate and a document insertion guide path, reciprocatingly mounted across the first scanning area, and having the document insertion guide path aligned with the document insertion opening when positioned at a predetermined position; And a document table reciprocating means for reciprocating the movable document table, wherein the second document scanning and moving means is formed in the housing and extends the second scanning area from the document insertion port. A sheet-shaped document conveyance path extending across to the document discharge port, And a sheet-like document conveying means for conveying the sheet-like document through the sheet-like document conveying passage, an image processing apparatus characterized by. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first scanning area is disposed on the upper surface of the housing, and the movable document table is mounted on the upper surface of the housing so as to be capable of reciprocating substantially horizontally. The document discharge port of the document conveyance path is disposed on one side of the housing, the second scanning area is disposed in the housing, and the sheet-shaped document conveyance path is between the document insertion port and the document discharge port. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus extends inside the housing. 3. The movable document placing table includes a frame to which the transparent plate is fixed, and a document cover mounted on the frame so as to be pivotable between a closed position and an open position. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the insertion guide path is attached to the document cover. 4. The movable document mounting table includes a frame to which the transparent plate is fixed, and a document cover mounted on the frame so as to be pivotable between a closed position and an open position. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the document insertion guide path is provided on the frame. 5. The movable document table is provided with a sheet-like document support plate extending upward from the document insertion guide path so as to be inclined upward. The image processing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims. 6. The frame of the movable document table is pivotally movable between an operating position extending upwardly from the document insertion guide path and a non-operation position covering the document insertion guide path. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a sheet-shaped document support plate is mounted. 7. When the sheet-shaped document support plate is positioned at the operating position, the sheet-shaped document support plate is located above the document cover positioned at the closed position and interferes with the opening movement of the document cover. 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image processing apparatus does not interfere with the opening movement of the document cover when positioned at the inoperative position. 8. A safety means including a detector for detecting when the sheet-shaped document supporting plate is moved to the inoperative position, wherein the safety means is provided only when the detector is in a detection state. 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the operation of the document table reciprocating means of the document scanning moving means is permitted. 9. An opening / closing member movably mounted between a closed position for closing the document insertion slot and an open position for opening the document insertion slot is provided in the housing. The original document supporting plate is mounted on the movable original mounting table so as to be rotatable between an operating position and a non-operating position. When the movable original mounting table is located at the predetermined position, the sheet-shaped original supporting plate is Interlocking means is provided for moving the opening / closing member to the open position when the document supporting plate is positioned at the operating position, and for moving the opening / closing member to the closed position when the sheet-shaped document supporting plate is positioned to the non-operating position. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5. 10. The interlocking means is interposed between an input rack attached to the sheet-like document support plate, an output rack attached to the opening / closing member, and the input rack and the output rack. The image processing device according to claim 9, further comprising at least one gear. 11. A security device comprising a detector for detecting when the opening / closing member is moved to the closed position, wherein the safety device includes a first document only when the detector is in a detection state. 11. The image processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the operation of the document table reciprocating means of the scanning moving means is permitted. 12. The sheet-shaped document support plate is mounted on the document cover, and when positioned at the non-operation position,
12. The image processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the image processing apparatus extends along an upper surface of the document cover at the closed position. 13. When the movable document table is positioned at a predetermined position, the movable document table is displaced from the document insertion port without covering the document insertion port. A sheet-shaped document guide is provided, which is rotatably mounted between an operation position extending obliquely upward from the document insertion port and a non-operation position for closing the document insertion port. The movable document table can reciprocate above the sheet-like document guide without being interfered with by the sheet-like document guide when the body is positioned in the non-operation position. 3. The image processing device according to claim 2. 14. The sheet-shaped document guide is movably mounted over a predetermined range in the extending direction thereof, and is elastically biased to one side in the extending direction by a spring means. Unless the sheet-shaped document guide is moved to the other side in the extending direction thereof against the biasing action, the sheet-shaped document guide is turned from the working position to the non-working position and from the non-working position to the non-working position. 14. The image processing device according to claim 13, further comprising a lock unit that prevents a turning operation to an operation position. 15. The movable document placing table includes a frame to which the transparent plate is fixed, and a document cover attached to the frame so as to be pivotable between a closed position and an open position. When the document table is positioned at the predetermined position and the sheet-shaped document guide is positioned at the operating position, the sheet-shaped document guide extends above the document cover positioned at the closed position. 15. The image processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the image processing apparatus interferes with opening movement of the document cover. 16. A safety means including a detector for detecting when the sheet-shaped document guide body is moved to the inoperative position, wherein the safety means is provided only when the detector is in the detection state. 16. The image processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein an operation of said document table reciprocating means of said one document scanning and moving means is permitted.